a thought on guilds

[DM Cephas]

I am recent addition to the server and am in the process of figuring things out. First of, I just want to gives some kudos on the PW and the active staff. (I got DM attention on my 2nd day on the server... I was surprised.) I know that this is still in beta and some kinks need to be worked out but I'm impressed so far.

One impression I wanted to share (not as complaint but as a possible consideration for the server to make it stronger)...

Consider reducing the number of guilds/factions out there. It almost seems like every deity has his/her own faction. Though in "real game life" they all do exist, it may prove too distracting for both players and DM's alike. A player in a faction of 1 or 2 may not get much RP fun out of it and there aren't enough DM's to care for or establish each faction/guild.

--Recommendation: Group up like-minded factions. Some players are taking initiative already (e.g. Order of Divine Guardians) but perhaps encourage it even more or just get rid of each Deity faction and establish the unified factions yourself.

--Benefits: Players will develop a closer sense of community which tend to lead to better RP opportunities. DM's can also focus and develop a richer community as well. "If you try to hit everything, you'll wind up hitting nothing." This can also lead to establishing plotlines that last longer than a few hours. A plotline can be established that will last days or weeks and the same players don't always have to be on. As long as others from the same faction are there, it can be moved along.

Just brainstorming here... (with generalizations)
Order of Divine Guardians - good divine types
Flaming Fists -- good fighter types
Harpers -- good sneaky types
Weaver's Guild-- good arcane types

Forest Keepers --- neutral woodsy types

Thieves Guild -- evil sneaky types
Iron Throne -- bad fighter types
The Dark Consortium --- bad divine types
The Black Arcanists -- bad arcane types


Anyway, they're just suggestions. Hopefully, it comes across as a healthy recommendation and not a flame. Kudos once more!

[whenwizardswar]

A sound thing you speak of, but I have a few conter points.

Deities may have similar alignmetns or common interests but followers of said deities have alot of different goals and views on life, remainging seperate saves people from being subjected to consistant persuasion by members of opposeing faith.

Some actually most PC factions I have seen on other worlds fade in and out like the seasons.

For example, nwn1 server Iam from had group called the black flag, a crime sydicate, a few months they would be really active, one month they would be quite the next they would be active and then a year would pass before you hear from them

We encourage PC run factions, but more then likely we wont reduce the amount of factions, is each faction is narrow, and focused and is there for those who wish a narrow, easy to follow order.

Long and short of it is, PC factions come and go, and what we call NPC factions, are forever.

[DM Cephas]

Valid point on the PC factions and their transient state. I guess I was trying to imply that the "grouped" guilds become NPC factions. I know my off-the-hip grouping leaves much to be desired but it was just a sample. I intentionally used the Thieves Guild, Harpers, and so on because they did fit a broad enough mold. The Divine Factions could be there as an alliance and no so much a universal church.

Anyway, if the desire is to keep all the different factions, it's okay. I proposed what I did because of the disadvantages of having so many different factions (listed in my first post). All I know is that when I saw the number of factions, I looked at the ones that at least had some people interested in it and built a PC that would fit. I didn't bother with the others because I didn't want to be the only cleric of <name_a_deity>. I can still choose and RP worshiping that god but I wouldn't even bother with the faction because it doesn't lend much for RP with other believers. What use is ranking in a faction if you're both the highest ranked and lowest ranked at the same time? *grins*

If I was a DM, I'd imagine I would focus on a guild or two or maybe three because any more would be spreading myself out too thin.

Anyway, just my 2 cents.

[DEV Jlf2n]

Good points all. I think in time you will see your idea of tight nit player factions move to the forefront. But first we need players to start their own factions and then recruit players into them. The NPC factions are just as much there for DMs and plot lines as they are for players to join.

[whenwizardswar]

Sept 19, 2008 3:13:35 GMT -5 DM Cephas said:

If I was a DM, I'd imagine I would focus on a guild or two or maybe three because any more would be spreading myself out too thin.

This is true, Event wise and IC wise, I only use a few factions, (The fist, the iron throne and the red wizards) as those are my main fortee. Ice shares similiar ownership over the Fist and Throne factions.

OOC-Every DM has to keep an eye on every facton, but Icly we tend to focus on just a few at a time, for as you said it can be difficult to keep everything organized.

Ideally, in the future i would like to see DM's signing up for certain things as a responsability.

For example, I havent kept it a secret that when the UD is completed, I want to be the head DM for UD matters, as thats where I will most likely be spending most of my time, and as such UD players would probably come to me for their UD needs.

I dont know how the others feel on this, but it would be benefical to segment DM's into areas of Expertise, that way one DM doesnt get flooded with eveyr which topic and the like.

For example.

Have a problem with the UD or its happenings? Send it to me or another DM and we will forward it to me
Have a problem with the Iron Throne/Flaming Fist etc? Send it to ice, or another DM and we will forward it to Ice

The above example is simple and hypothetical.

As we get more players and more factions and more areas come alive, breaking up DM's into specialty fields of interest would be a very wise idea, ninty% of nwn1 and 2 servers do this and it almost always works out for the better.

OF course we need more dms as we get more players, sooooo one step at a time.

[DM Cephas]

Any guilds for mages or am I going blind? (other than red wizards)

Also, if you need more DM's, I'm willing to help out. I have a guild or two that I could focus on. I'm sure you'd have to "observe" me first and all but I just wanted to let you know that I'm open. Not super familiar with the NWN2 DM client yet but I'm learning. I'm open to being a DM apprentice

[DM Sir Carnifex]

I think the Harpers, Iron Throne, and Flaming Fist all have mages within their ranks.

[whenwizardswar]

Sept 19, 2008 19:35:30 GMT -5 DM Sir Carnifex said:

I think the Harpers, Iron Throne, and Flaming Fist all have mages within their ranks.

Make a wizard of Talos, we need raw firepower!.

Yes they do exist they are part of an elite group known as the Lords of the Tempest