factions

[*Azulfae]

I'm with Darkrob on the areas. Some factions already have them, some need them and some have them but need them to be a little more developed.

Some of the best faction/player group experiences I've had on servers were built around groups having their own place.

On Elements of Aesyr there was a faction called the Lunatics. There was a grind spot on the server where there were hostile NPC Lunatics and when players made PC ones and started sneaking past the hostiles just to RP in the castles shrine it became this increadable focal point for RP. The DM's even took the hostiles out in the end and let us live in the castle. Players joined the cult in droves.

It was the best RP I have ever had in NWN ever until unfortunately the DM's allowed a city state to mobilise literally 10000 soldiers or something stupid to destroy the castle led by the biggest overpowered CvC obsessed player group on the server.

It all fell to bits after that. The group was nothing without their castle and the faction's good days were history and never recovered.

What it showed me though is how much a home can define a group.


Secondly I do think some little novelties like a faction feat could be fun for PC's.
For example when you pick a faction from Mimir you could gain a feat for that faction and it could grant something. On the low end maybe a skill or save bonus or on the high end if you wanted to really make it something worth joining the faction for talent that people from that faction could have. e.g. Harmonium could gain an ability to arrest someone mechanically like a hold person use or something, Dustmen maybe a raise dead 1/day. Doomguard could get a Disintergrate spell 1/day, Sensates, immunity to deafness/blindness. There are all sorts of things you could do but if you did give really good properties to the faction members it would make picking one quite attractive as opposed to sitting on the fence and never getting involved.

Some people are superficial like that :P

[*Cadence]

Two suggestions that have been floating around in my mind

1) enforced permadeath (aka no raises/respawning - ever. That means when you die in grinding, RP, PvP, etc - your character gets deleted from server vault). That'll make you think twice before you decide to pull a chiv in the bazaar or go to 'strech your legs' in the Abyss.

2) Stricter multiclassing rules - in other words, Multiclassing can only be done with DM approval (akin to how we have special race requests set up). At the very least, X29 and Shadowdancer 1 should be disallowed.


I am only half joking about these- at some point or another, they have seriously crossed my mind. You all should be glad that there are other DMs to soften my viewpoints. But how long do you think they can restrain me for? moohahaha


Edit: as for factions (just realized that this is a faction suggestion thread - not an evil - or as some would say: practical, suggestion thread): I beseech you all to be patient as the builders and scripters finish the faction HQs.

[*Weylyn]

2) Stricter multiclassing rules - in other words, Multiclassing can only be done with DM approval (akin to how we have special race requests set up). At the very least, X29 and Shadowdancer 1 should be disallowed.

Gods no.

There exists this curious misconception that restricting multiclassing reduces powerbuilding. It doesn't, it just changes the rules.

Most players are at least mildly familiar with the vanilla NWN2 build restrictions, changing these rules locally only skews the field further in favour of those who build their characters entirely for power, because those are quickest to adapt to the new playing field.

The freedom to build my character without having to worry about arbitrary restrictions on classes is one of the things that drew me here to begin with. (It's also one of the reasons I never got into Arelith, too much paperwork.)


Also, the X29 SD1 example isn't as striking as it was in NWN1. There are other classes besides SD that give the feat, Assassin to name the one most applicable to me. There's Ranger as well, though making use of 18 ranger levels requires a rather more specialised setup. Besides this, the HipS feat alone does not make one a capable sneaker, it still requires a hefty investment in both dexterity and the relative skills.

(Also, stealth is not that badass. Even with my hide/ms though the ceiling, I tend to keep a cast of Iron Body prepared just in case.)

[*Agony_Aunt]

Lack of perma-death (except in specific circumstances) is one reason why i chose this server.

I will accept perma- if its appropriate (ie: Dorian's attempt to destroy the multiverse - I knew i was risking it, glad i have escaped it though, its horrible loosing an investment even for RP reasons)

I wouldn't say we need enforced restrictions on multi-classing, i just ask people to behave sensibly. You can justify any Class combination with some half-assed story, but enforcing things that don't matter so much is just extra hassle on DMs and annoys players. People who are going to power build will then just use power-builds that don't require DM permission, so expect to see all the power builders playing Clerics with War and Time domains (or some such) in this sort of situation.

I've said it on the DM forums several times. You cannot build/design with power builders in mind. They will always find a way to power build, and if they can't they will leave for a server where they can be uber. Build/design for the average guy who likes to make a creative build with a creative story. The power builders will either get bored and leave (because everything is so easy) or they will stick around and maybe, just maybe, try something different. We do not allow PvP except by consent, so any player is always welcome to tell any power-build char that they will only PvP using RP and ability rolls.

Erm, yes, sorry, factions....

[*Pashan01]

Two suggestions that have been floating around in my mind

1) enforced permadeath (aka no raises/respawning - ever. That means when you die in grinding, RP, PvP, etc - your character gets deleted from server vault). That'll make you think twice before you decide to pull a chiv in the bazaar or go to 'strech your legs' in the Abyss.

2) Stricter multiclassing rules - in other words, Multiclassing can only be done with DM approval (akin to how we have special race requests set up). At the very least, X29 and Shadowdancer 1 should be disallowed.


I am only half joking about these- at some point or another, they have seriously crossed my mind. You all should be glad that there are other DMs to soften my viewpoints. But how long do you think they can restrain me for? moohahaha


Edit: as for factions (just realized that this is a faction suggestion thread - not an evil  - or as some would say: practical, suggestion thread): I beseech you all to be patient as the builders and scripters finish the faction HQs.

Those for hardcore servers for people who know how to play well and carefully not for 'Miss-Die-Alot's' like me. I wouldn't be playing here if either of those two came in :D (do I hear cries of 'yay' in the background?:P)

As for Faction ideas:

My interest waxes and wanes on factions for various reasons mostly due to not really understanding them in depth, changes of personal moods and style of play and most of the DM activity surrounding their promotion 'tends' towards conflict based plots that I get somewhat lost with. I'd do more with sensate stuff and intend to soon as I pick my sensate up again slowly.

So, what would I like to see.

- More mystery/puzzle based faction plots, things to tinker over time on.
- A bit more DM support on ideas/creativity for faction actions - we have the initial guidance for goals noted on the IC faction threads, perhaps some players/DMs can add more for ideas? I've come up with a few in the past but think I might be reaching my limit for my knowledge on planescape. I'll be tinkering over time however.
- definately those faction areas for members *thumbs up*
- key players championing a faction ingame and forum (e.g. thinking loki and his doomie here, Darkrob for Anarchs, Hildy and indeps, I'll try to do more a bit as Naya for sensates but I got split interests) but it does take more than 1 and some factions harder than others, particularly for persistent playing (my hat goes off to you lot for keeping it up)

er...bit of a braindump will add more as I think of them :D

[*Agony_Aunt]

Pash, thanks for your suggestions. Player champions are exactly what we need for factions. As you point out, i have Dorian who i've done a little with, and am trying to dream up a new char for one of the more unloved factions, expect to see them make an appearance over the weekend (if i can just bloody choose which faction!).

The best point you made i think was about plots always being conflict related. Sure, its quite in the nature of things, but we DMs should always keep in mind the option of making plots that do not revolved around "Go there, kill X"

Something like Hildmor is trying to do with the Bazaar and getting rid on the Harmonium presence there through diplomacy (and presumably some bribes and blackmail thrown in for good measure).

Plots where people are ordered to find or do things that increase the prestige of their faction, diplomatic missions, or other work in line with the factions interests.

[*Azulfae]

Two suggestions that have been floating around in my mind

1) enforced permadeath (aka no raises/respawning - ever. That means when you die in grinding, RP, PvP, etc - your character gets deleted from server vault). That'll make you think twice before you decide to pull a chiv in the bazaar or go to 'strech your legs' in the Abyss.

2) Stricter multiclassing rules - in other words, Multiclassing can only be done with DM approval (akin to how we have special race requests set up). At the very least, X29 and Shadowdancer 1 should be disallowed.


I am only half joking about these- at some point or another, they have seriously crossed my mind. You all should be glad that there are other DMs to soften my viewpoints. But how long do you think they can restrain me for? moohahaha


Edit: as for factions (just realized that this is a faction suggestion thread - not an evil - or as some would say: practical, suggestion thread): I beseech you all to be patient as the builders and scripters finish the faction HQs.

Lol you'd see the server empty in a day.

Most ideas that seem to be a control method to make players fall in line and play within controlled parameters don't go down well with the majority.

An old server I played on in NWN1 has a NWN2 server and they are obsessed with all such things with almost a religious zealous towards enforcing RP and making people play within a nanny state of control and predictability.

You can log on that server and 90% of the day it's empty and then for a few hours in the evening there are 3-4 people on and they are all DM's and admin of the server playing their PC's there.

They don't have the community there that Sigil has and the funniest thing is that that claim it's because their standards are too high and elitist for most 'powergamers' which is what they believe everyone else in the community is.

Ironically I've never had to worry about levels and loot and XP and gold and all that stuff as much as when I played on that server. Here on Sigil it's abundant and for the taking so there is no need to go to extreme immersion breaking, metagaming OOC means to achieve it because it will just come with time. By making things free and liberal on this server the focus really is on roleplay and i have to say the roleplay is really great from players here.

Because everything on that old server was so controlled and suppressed the things your trying to bury become the focus of the server.

Their biggest problem was metagaming which is terrible considering they considered themselves an RP elitist server. When people fear of loss is so great though metagaming is just human nature.

At least ion sigil someone might roll with the punches and take the beatdown and die in a CvC scenario because at the end of the day there is a way to be redeemed and brough back and carry on. The unreasonable sacrifice isn't there so the great RP is.

Permadeath mean't no one would ever PvP and if one person set their sights on another person you would find them logging off when the one hunting them was and and such. No one ever went adventuring because of the risks, no one wanted to be part of any DM event that might contain any kind of fighting or opposition because after 4 years playing on the server and finally having a character that was level 7 with lots of +1 gear it was all too valueable to risk for the DM's precious story and have to start again at level 1 with 100 gold pieces.

[*Reptiller]

Hehe, thanks Pasha. I am trying to keep the good work up.

To Cadence: As far as I understand, this is a thread for suggestions FROM the Community TO the Team, not really reverse. Your DM status doesn't make your post any more informative/useful, thank you.

Suggestion:

We indeed need some IG Faction powers(as per Factol's Manifesto) but not all of them should be implemented. Not all is possible in NWN2 and things should remain fairly balanced about the factions so we don't have 2-3 'chosen ones' and the rest 12 as 'sucker' factions. The dev team might give those factions with too powerful abilities something of a substitude though.

For example, see Mercykiller powers...

Another Faction ability that shouldn't be mechanically implemented is ofcourse, "Know Faction" of Free League. It's as metagamey/destructive for RP if mechanical, as "Detect Evil" can get.

Oh and Cadence...Permadeath? Not often hear I it coming from someone who has tendency of lag-kills on events.

[*Darkrob]

"If", and I punctuate the word if... IF the factions are given some sort of abilities or perks, I think it should be given in the form of an actual "badge" granted to the character by the DM. Not only would this slow the occurances of folks joining a faction for the perk and "never" RPing it but would allow actual recruitment to take hold and be a part of the entire process.

That being said... if such a thing is possible or considered, I think the Anarchist badge could grant according to this:

This is from "ObsidianPortal" and holds no real influence over this mod
http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaign/ ... ary-league

Benefits of Membership

The granted ability of an anarchist is very crucial to their survival as a faction. They have the ability to pose as a member of any other faction without being detected. This ability is for outward appearances only and does not convey the granted power nor additional knowledge regarding the factionsÂ’ views. It does, however, allow liberties normally granted to said faction such as access to their headquarters, associated discounts, and (the use most cutters see) the ability to arrest people as though part of the Harmonium

They wouldn't get any "cool" powers but could use such a thing as a massive RP tool. Make the Anarchist badge kind of a "skelliton" key to the other HQ's.

[*Azulfae]

Orgasmatrons for sensates.