SCoD's cliques

[*sylkwyrm]

i've noticed cliqueyness to a certan extent too, but no more than any other nwn/2 server i've played on. i've been here for four days or so and have had plenty of rp people seem welcoming for the most part, the only unpleasantness/coldness being IC only.

my only issue thus far is that there are very few people i can hunt with due to level which is something i never wish to do alone (thats what the OC is for) but that is understandable really

[*Pashan01]

Wot Narkona said. I personally dont think it too cliquey in comparison to others I have played on, but yeah, I know I've been playing here a while and have established some IC and ooc friendships.

People hang with their friends, fact. But that doesn't mean they are not open to RP with others. Blatantly ignoring? - rare I would say. I get flustered at busy group RP times - usually at my most tiredest when those from the west log and group and I am soon to log off myself, so I easily miss some RP when crowded. And yeah, I too have my shy moments too, see a group that knows each other and think 'oh dear' I can't butt in - this depends on what character I am playing - sorry but if its my pixie I get in 'that' mode and barge in, its like she takes over, but my others, are often shyer-quieter so I won't.

But I know how it gets as a newcomer trying to find a place. Why? cos I frequently play quietly and secretly on other accounts, other characters, low levels without anything to their names. It can take a while and effort to get your RP acknowledged, I just say persevere, little steps, think of creative ways for approaching characters but being overly pushy doesn't help always. But god forbid that my good elf should even 'think' to approach or be pleasant to a drow character. In fact, most of my characters barely tolerate them so don't expect much of a greeting:P

But, I also have my own agenda and moods, stories and plans in the limited playtime I have. I 'try' to react to other's RP appopriately but I can only do so much.:)

I think we need to keep this in focus, be aware of those in our surrounds and on the periphery and just do what we can, when we can.

[*DM-Stitch(es)]

if characters are strongly linked together IC and indeed, as Cryptc mentions, even end up being significant others RL wise, then I suppose it is their call to mingle or no.

Personally I have never experienced any thick cliques on this server.

Even more so, I find most people to be open for others and helpfull. I know quite some players who play here who are -very- considerate of new players and send them welcoming tells. Ensuring they feel welcome right away and find their way around.

I am sorry to hear some people are not experiencing this though, but out of my own experiences since the start of Beta, I would say cliques are down to a minimum on this server in comparison to most servers I played.

We can not prevent some groups forming up and sticking together...after all, we play this game for our own entertainment after all.

There are moments, especially after a reset or crash, people got interrupted in a rp or in an rp adventure. Can you blame them for grouping up right away and dashing back to where they left off? no...no you can not :)

allthough if you are one of those and see someone rp...maybe a tell explaining you are dashing back to continue a rp would be polite ;)

[*Dedic8ed]

I think there is one thing that will always prevent the true cliquishness that is found on some other servers from happenning on Sigil. NO PRIVATE HOUSES. That cliquishness (I am so making up words here) is easy to do when the first thing you do upon login is hiding behind a locked door.

One of the more difficult issues isn't really a "clique" thing, it's more of a "group of friends" thing. A group of people is standing around role-playing, and they have been doing so for a while. It might be serious, it might be flirtatious, it might be silly. But either which way, the "outsider" is left to either barge their way into the conversation, or stand on the periphery hoping to be noticed. Having been on both sides of that, I know that it can be frustrating when ignored, but just as much so when you're trying to respond to four or five other people, it's "just too hard" to pause that to respond to a "hey everyone, what's up?" or for that matter, even notice that another person is standing nearby. If I'm by myself, I'll respond to every little nod sent my character's way, but it's considerably more difficult when I'm in the midst of something.

On the other hand... only once in all my time here have I run across someone who was not interested in "partying up", and I believe that in that instance it was an actual RP decision. Yeah, sometimes you'll have that L7 character and everyone else is 18 or higher and you're out of luck... but our player base seems to be one of the more outgoing overall. And of course it helps that larger parties survive longer and gain more XP....

Still, don't give up. One thing that I personally prefer, and tend to take notice of when other people do it, is the use of a descriptive emote when on the periphery of a group. Where "hey everybody, what's going on?" could give off a strong noob vibe, a strong descriptive emote shows someone who might be worth RPing with.

And long-timers... remember that you never know when you might meet a new friend. Just about all of the people I RP with regularly on Sigil, I first met on Sigil.

[*Black_Grove]

NO PRIVATE HOUSES.

I so wish we had player housing. Then again I said that IC cliques were a good thing. In most cases I think cliques form along IC lines like the drow characters from Menzoberranzan or the Thayan and his aprrentices and entourage.

I think people making a Thayan for instance will have an easier time of getting involved if the Thayans got together and put a few players efforts into making an enclave for their characters to have a place. Or any other group for that matter, just using Thayans as an example

Or because I really thirst for a home IC

One thing that I personally prefer, and tend to take notice of when other people do it, is the use of a descriptive emote when on the periphery of a group. Where "hey everybody, what's going on?" could give off a strong noob vibe, a strong descriptive emote shows someone who might be worth RPing with.

I like seeing a description. a little paragraph offering details that cant be seen on screen like holy symbols or heraldry, tattoos, scent, or accent. If there is something like a religion or culture apparent then I have something to react to right away

Walking instead of running helps, a lot

And long-timers... remember that you never know when you might meet a new friend. Just about all of the people I RP with regularly on Sigil, I first met on Sigil.

Agreed. I came with a crew of people from ALFA but only two of us play regularly at all. Most of the people that are around and important to me now I didnt know before very recently and my social circle has changed a few times since I joined

I usually keep a few weak items for newbs. I give them out if I see the person walking and I can manage to have some bit of friendly RP with them. If they are from Calimshan or friendly nations in Faerun I might give them a helpful gift and some money if they dont ruin it by being rude or running in the market. I have given out a handful of magic items this way and I have seen a few others doing so as well


J

[*cryptc]

I think people making a Thayan for instance will have an easier time of getting involved if the Thayans got together and put a few players efforts into making an enclave for their characters to have a place. Or any other group for that matter, just using Thayans as an example

It's our hope that instead of making groups of very prime oriented lore groups (granted, the thayans could definately travel the planes so not the worst group), that players will eventually start getting involved in the factions more... and every faction will eventually have both a public and private location for members only...

We're not trying to discourage any grouping of players, even players starting their own "groups"... but we are trying to encourage faction based rp

[*Ravel's Heart]

I so wish we had player housing.

Personally, I have no desire at all to see this.

In my experience, both as player and DM, 90% of the time, they turn into private ERP lairs. And while I have nothing against players who want to do that, I have no wish at all to make an effort to accomodate it, either.

[*Product of Void]

player housing SUXS!!! (uses l1337 speak to help express feelings).

I have seen numerous problems on other PWs with player housing.

1. plot locks people hide behind.
2. Hey a good rper lets give tem a house so the rp ALONE or with a smaller group instead of invovling more.
3. adds more bulk to the module yet nothing for all players.

I do not mind say a group building say for fractions though I prefer no plot locked so folks can spy. Also if something gets added for a player I prefer something ALL players can see or use. For example a new tavern or gambling hall.

I also have an idea for folks feeling out of the loop. IG PARTY TIME!!! lets have like 1-2 days of some kind of celeberation a get drunk and get to know folks kinda thing.

[*SanguineOrchid]

I'm one of the drow players and chose it specifically to test the waters on the server and see how the RP environment was working. So far I haven't been ignored outright in any tipped RP, but I have been hated on and grumbled about which is a very good sign! In my opinion, people play dark things to be dark, if you want to be a beloved member of society, make something that fits that role.

Cliques are inevitable, it's part of who we are. The community itself is a clique comprised of people that prefer this server over another, which themselves are other cliques populating the game with this one. Cliques aren't necessarily a bad thing by themselves, they promote an atmosphere of tension and drama both of which are necessary to a certain extent. Without an enemy, we'll make one, if the enemy before us is as strong as we are, balance is achieved.

The real problem with cliques always comes down to perks and elitism. One gets more benefits, another calls them elitists and all that IC necessity becomes OOC damage. On this server, from what I've seen, the Staff is very attentive and the player base has an innate maturity that can deal with the situations that will arise without undue trouble.

Those that have encountered Triss'a (my drow) can note how easy it is to hate that character and at the same time how difficult it is to simply ignore her when she decides to open her mouth. I like it! Villains make Heroes, no villains, no heroes. So long as those hatreds stay IC, it's all good. But the trick is to make sure the players know OOC that it's between characters. Several have come to me after RP situations to make sure there were no hard feelings which thrilled me, I've only encountered that with my evil people on one or two other servers ever.

Forward the RP! Less worry, more story!

[*mute83]

of course this happens, why should it be any different in a game, then RL. and its natural. you talk with people you know. and if you are in deep conversation, especialy with several people writing alot, its easy to miss someones writing (thats why i increases the space where the text appears for such situations :) )

but people have been very nice, with teaming up