(Discussion) General Part II

[Creamsteak]

You can't use an NPC as a PC ever. You can't advance it as a PC either, though I guess you can always advance NPCs normally. Important NPCs are one thing (and something I'd like to be as sparse as reasonably possible, to a certain extent), just understand that an NPC isn't necessarily under any one DMs control all the time.

 

[Macbeth]

Can somebody give me a quick rundown of aproxamately how many players are in the Red Dragon Inn currently, i.e. not on an adventure? I'm interested in running an adventure, but I want to make sure there are some players I can recruit first. If there are a few characters still around the inn, I'll start the process of getting it approved.
Also, CS, I just saw your email in the Living Enworld Judge account about needing somebody to watch an adventure. Am I allowed to watch adventures, or do you want to keep it to just you, Garyh and Uriel for now? Since I've finally completely caught up with character submissions, and the sumbmissions are alot slower now, I definately have the time to track an adventure or a few, I'm just not sure if I should just stick to characters, or if I'm allowed to branch out to watching adventures.
One other thing: Has anybody thought about putting a post in the General Discussion forum about whats going on here, just so that more people get an idea of what Living Enworld is? I'm sure that if we "advertised" in the General forums we could get even more people here for Enworld. Just a thought.

 

[Creamsteak]

I just glanced at the most recent page and I'm thinking it looks like 4 not actively pursuing an adventure. One thing to keep in mind though, is that the inn, despite being a fun place to spend time... if people aren't actively posting, that doesn't mean that they aren't watching. Also, although some characters are probably 'at' the inn, they might not be active right now.

Alright Macbeth, go ahead and watch a thread if you choose. Just report which thread in an email to the judges box, and also keep us up to date with certain activities and such. Especially little global things like weather (there should be a nasty storm in most games right now, if things are working right).

Let's avoid making a recruitment drive for a couple more days. I'd like to start flooding players in the gates, as soon as the first major (world) storyline is ready to start. I'm going to wait till we have a few 2nd level characters have been developed. I'm hoping said characters could act as leaders both as players and as characters within the community when we really get ready to move into the first major development.

 

[Macbeth]

Okay, I don't think this game has a thread yet, it was just an idea submitted to the Judge email account that you forwarded back to the judge account asking for a judge. I've got an email off to the guy who submitted it, so the game should get started soon. Thanks for letting me help out, I figure it will help make sure you, Garyh and Uriel don't get too busy. And since the email had been sitting in the account for a while, I thought it might be good to get a judge on it.
The General Forum post idea was just a quick idea, if you want to wait, thats cool, I just thought it might be a good idea for getting more players. Can't wait to see the first world event.
I'll start putting together an adventure, to keep things moving for the characters in the Inn. Expect a summary before too long.

 

[garyh]

Dang, I've got to remember to check the judge e-mail account more often.

I think advertising in the General Forum is a good idea once we're ready. Oh, and I and most players have been advertising with their every post (see sig).

 

[Uriel]

Quote:Important NPCs are one thing (and something I'd like to be as sparse as reasonably possible, to a certain extent), just understand that an NPC isn't necessarily under any one DMs control all the time.

CS, for the most part I agree. However, while someone using the Mayor of Orassus as a plot-point should be a brief thing, or the Knight-Captain of the Watch, Head Wizard of the College of Magic etc... I personally have issue with someone using characters (NPCs) that I have created (for use in my adventures).
It's not a big deal at this point, but if Brindle ends up being a Fallen Celestial or some such, I hardly want someone else writing him in to sme other story, traipsing off on someone else's adventure, as I have a very definate Backstory and future Plot-Points for him (especially if they post with modern venacular, as some here do...I shudder at the thought of him saying 'Dude' or 'LOL').

I propose this:

As they are detailed, Major NPCs become Public Domain.
If Orassus' Captain of the Watch is Frandeth, Human Fighter, give folks very basic info such as:
'Frandeth is a Fighter 9/Weapon Master of the Longsword 3, Align:LN, possesses a potent Flameblade. Keep that general, though give enough info for Roleplaying. Frandeth is 42 years old, married, father of 2 sons and a daughter, all grown. Rather gruff and brusque, the Captain likes to be very straight to the point and direct in his dealings, as he is a very busy man. He does, however, have a love for Chess and can often be found (in his off-time) at The Great Library playing with a variety of folks, some Highborn, some not'.

However, some NPCs, such as ones that DMs want as recurring themes in their adventures (as I am setting up an Uber-Story with mine...) are the Domain of their Creator.

It shouldn't be difficult to keep these things properly divided.

I don't think that someone is so keen on my NPCs that they want to 'play with them', but I'd hate to need them for my Story and be told 'Oh, Bron Bekkle the Hunter is off chasing an owlbear in DM X's game, sorry (or, Oh, your 'Hunter Guy' got killed in my adventure, he was eaten by a troll, sorry ,LOL!').

I don't have a problem with folks DMing in my City (Rivenblight), that's the point, after all. It will have to wait until I set up the basic Info and finish some Maps and maybe even illustrations (shudder@my pictures).

-Uriel

 

[GnomeWorks]

While we're on the topic of NPC's...

How will NPC's introduced through a player be handled? Will they be public domain, or something else?

For example - eventually, I'd like to have Troi initiate an adventure in which he finally tries to hunt down Zidaniel. If DMs mess with that NPC, though, that could be a problem - though I can't control how or when Zidaniel would show up, or if he would show up in other games.

How would such a thing be handled?

 

[Creamsteak]

Players can name names all they want. In order to physically meet this NPC and interact with them beyond story-telling, they will need to get a DM to run it for them. Mention recurring characters in your context to any DMs you have, so they can decide if that person is part of their scheme. Otherwise just find someone you'd like to run that particular roll, and they will find a good time to introduce that particular element.

I agree with your format, Uriel. One thing though, as a judge, you can change things that seem out-of-whack for an NPC or such. If someone creates a character and finds them acting against their creation, then a judge can probably be summonzed to nudge things the right way. If someone appears to be pushing world events unneccessarily, you can deal with that as well.

 

[Thomas Hobbes]

Howdy, all! For starters, I'd like to thank creamsteak for suggesting this idea and working to bring to to fruition, and those who are helping him (Uriel, garyh, macbeth, and everyone else). I love the concept of a real living campaign, and am writing up my character right now, and have an adventure idea brewing to throw into the mix.

Anywho, since this seems to be the thread to suggest new feats (although I know you're holding off on that for now), I was wondering if I could introduce a new Knowledge skill subclass. I rather expect it to have as much use as Knowledge: Architecture and Engineering- which is to say, it's mostly a character thing. Regardless, if I may....

Knowledge: Warfare (Siege tactics, logistics, and strategy)

Thanks again for your great work, past, present, and to come.

 

[Macbeth]

Just a little tidbit for the judges:
Since we were disussing having some kind of group that anybody could send to, and that would forward messages to all the judges, I took the initiative to create a Yahoo group that anybody can send to (i've already tested it, and any address can send to the list). I'm already on it, should I invite you guys (Creamsteak, Uriel, garyh) to join? This way we could easily message each other, and keep a central contact point for the players to reach judges. The group is Living Enworld Judges, the email address is %livingenworld%@yahoogroups.com wihtout the %'s (don't want spam to the group). I'm trying to sign up the judge email account, but either the invite is slow or I mistyped the address. Either way, I think this may be the solution to our communication issues.