There, and Back Again: The Rivermoot Complex

SwordSaintMusashi · Post by **SwordSaintMusashi** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:32 pm

I'm going to start this by saying it isn't directed at anyone, isn't a flame, and isn't meant to ruffle feathers: its just an observation a few people and I have had.

A majority of the plots and themes of the server right now seem to be focused around Rivermoot, the backwater town the server starts in. While Rivermoot has its charm, it isn't quite the place most characters would like to stay past a certain point.

However, the trend has become to journey up to High Hold (or Silverymoon), and then as soon as plots start, trek back to Rivermoot to participate. Now, I understand the logic behind this: the players are in Rivermoot, so bring the plots to them. However, that has been encouraging people to never leave Rivermoot for more than an hour, so that they don't miss anything.

I just think maybe if some plot was spread out to some of the other gorgeous areas TSM offers, that players might start to migrate away from Rivermoot, so that new areas can be uncovered and players who dislike Rivermoot or wish to be free of the city can be.

This is not a jab at the DMs: I think you're all doing a wonderful job, and I know your job at that is tough. It wa sjust an observation on my part I wished to share and offer a suggestion to. Thanks!

Munmun · Post by **Munmun** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:35 pm

Agreed. If we spread out more not only will we get to have adventures in new and interesting areas, we will be lightening the load on the DMs who will no longer have to incorporate 20 characters into every little plot.

Less DM load and more small group adventures is win.

Wynna · Post by **Wynna** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:45 pm

In my heart I agree, SSM. I'd like to think that players who participate in the Uni once a week aren't trekking all over the server during the rest of the week to make DM events, but that's hard to ask. Some people play once a week and some play every day. However, if enough people stayed put /in/ locations other than RM, then the RP critical mass could be met just among the PC population with or without a DM. I know I'd like to see a resident population of Silverymoon when I log on to DM.

SwordSaintMusashi · Post by **SwordSaintMusashi** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:51 pm

A few of us are trying to do just that. We have a small adveturing group in High Hold that is not leaving (barring some in character need to move to one of the nearby locations) to try and get some focus out of Rivermoot, and as Munmun said, lighten DM load so twenty people aren't rushing in on a 4-6 person quest or adventure. As time progresses, and situations rise and fall, the group might move to Silverymoon or one of the other cities, trying to do just that: move the mass elsewhere to get attention in those areas. I guess only time will tell.

Magile · Post by **Magile** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:52 pm

I once sat online at the very front of High Hold during peak hour for EST for about 4 hours. Right at the front, with all the guards. Came across one RPer the entire time (Hyacinthe/Sintaqx or however you spell it). They made a joke about me being there so long "Standing vigilant still?" or something like that.

It sucks.

edit: Guess I should mention that I don't really have a complaint about the way DM quests are handled, just saying that it was pretty barren there. I know sometimes I'll log on and everyone will be in HH, other times it's just miserable.

dergon darkhelm · Post by **dergon darkhelm** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:59 pm

I have been trying over the last few days to incorporate myself into the High Hold crew as well. But people follow the plotlines.....

Dergon's Second Law of Alfadynamics cleary states:

"PCs in a non-DMed state will tend to move toward a Dmed state."

And the Third Law:

"Pcs in a DMed state will attempt to remain in a DMed state."

over time the server will spread out and more diversity of places will come around. We just all need to give it some time

((said despite numerous PMs that might imply that I am less than patient

))

MorbidKate · Post by **MorbidKate** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 4:50 pm

Oh those laws have been long proven. Players are attracted to DMs and will go where they are. As TSM grows the player base will spread out and stay that way IF there are enough DMs running plots in different areas of the server on a regular basis. Since there is only ONE NWN2 Live server there hopefully won't be a chronic shortage of DMs like there was in ALFA1. That said, regular DMs are like gold and should be treasured and helped in every possible way to avoid burnout.

As the plots spread out, so will the player base so long as there are enough DMs to sprinkle across the server.

Kate

Brother Humphrey · Post by **Brother Humphrey** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:01 pm

Being a former member of his home town's militia and intent on becoming an official member of whichever Silver Marches military organisation that is most in need of his services as both a sword-swinger and a journeyman weaponsmith, I have been taking my character from Rivermoot to Silverymoon and back in search of ways to make him known to the powers that be.

I understand that at some point we'll be given the IG scripted options of joining said forces, but in the mean time I do my best to join up with whatever player or DM inspired group becomes available (usually either in RM or HH), and we've managed to have us some fun times.

The other night, several of us had a chance meeting in HH and decided to wander on over to Quaervarr (spelling?) both to check on that community's smithcraft hall (and the beautifully built tavern. I didn't get a chance to see if they had any booze for sale, or a room to rent, but the place looks faaaaabulous) as well as doing a bit of pest control. The reason I bring up this little trip is that with all the fantastic scenery and the flaura and fauna available, it could easilly become a nub of tree-hugging activity.

One of our party members happened to be (as far as I could tell) a foliage fondler of the non-pointy-eared variety, and did a damned fine job of expressing his concerns with regard to the logging and such going on there. With this in mind, I think I can safely extend an invitation to the druidic/nature-loving community to begin building a base of operations in that area which, with or without DMage, will give you something else to do besides marching from the courtyard to the plantation and back.

One note: Walk softly or carry several big sticks, once outside the Quaervarr gates, as the fauna has a nasty temper.

**highly off-topic, but seeing your last post reminded me of a question that's been burning in my demented mind for a long time. What were you drinking in that picture you posted of you at the shore, Kate? Oh, and I love that palmtree-shaped hat.**

Rion of Erb · Post by **Rion of Erb** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:08 pm

Try finding someone if you are a wilderness type (which granted is a problem on any server). I have found the area around High Hold better suited for my character though, and a more central locale to his other favorite areas.

And after being in a couple of the major DM sessions, I try to avoid them like the plague now, there is just no opportunity to RP in them. I actually try to avoid large groups in general for the same reason. So yeah the less active areas are appealing to me more and more. The problem is, as Magile stated above, you run the risk of there being "no one" around, in those areas.

That being said, I love how the server has grown already in such a small time. All the areas I have seen are really coming alive, random exploration is much fun! I do wish when groups traveled the roads they would venture off a little and hit some of the encounters that are around. The walks between towns, which could easily be an adventure every time, can bring the game to a lull quickly if no one wants to talk or explore a little. And I am not just talking about going xp hunting, but even spotting some enemies and not engaging them can still lead to much fun.

Dragoness · Post by **Dragoness** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 5:55 pm

The thing is, ALFA is a huge server. This particular mod is HUGE. When you have about 20 players spread out all over the place, it's really hard to do much interaction with anyone. That has sort of been my problem as of late. At times, I find myself to be the only active PC in Rivermoot looking for stuff to do while everyone is either out hunting, at High Hold or some other place scattered in the mod.
I don't want to metagame and go where everyone else is if my character doesn't know that IC. Perhaps, maybe we can have dedicated DMs for certain parts of the mod, so no matter where you are, you'll have a chance of participating in something even if the rest of the server is somewhere else.

My character is actually from Silverymoon, and I've been waiting for more players to migrate there so I would have people to RP with. I was told that most Aussie players are there, though I haven't really seen anyone there yet. And the DMs said that the area was unfinished, hence also why most players have been avoiding it for now.
I guess it all comes down to giving it a little time for the playerbase to grow and also for the areas to be finished.

AcadiusLost · Post by **AcadiusLost** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:36 pm

I predict when the 7 or so of Indio's statics I've debugged are re-enabled in High Hold, that it'll become the new hub. We shall see, though.

dergon darkhelm · Post by **dergon darkhelm** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:57 pm

AcadiusLost wrote:I predict when the 7 or so of Indio's statics I've debugged are re-enabled in High Hold, that it'll become the new hub. We shall see, though.

It'll be just like NYC night clubs...by the time the masses get there, all the truly cool people will have moved on.

((implies that I am cooler than everyone else))

Mikayla · Post by **Mikayla** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:28 pm

I think for High Hold to be a real hub, it needs a central gathering place other than the road infront of the gate. And it needs an Inn - I know there is a tavern across the river but its closed at night - you can get in but they don't sell you anything. And while my temple is there (Red Knight) in order to rest, I have to go out of the castle, pitch a tent and make camp - and in a place literally surrounded by undead and what have you, thats not good.

So, I think HH needs a working inn and a central gathering place before it can become a real RP hub.

Rick7475 · Post by **Rick7475** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 9:09 pm

I'll review the HH interiors, but I know the statics are close to finished. Also, I should be getting a SM tavern in soon.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 10:19 pm

I am glad someone without a record in ALFA brought this topic up. It has been on the minds of a few, but many of us simply get blasted for trying to voice such opinions