Reputation Amounts

[cmosier]

Slightly off topic... but I'm wondering if we, as players, have been playing Factions correctly? It seems we tend to stick within our own Faction. I'm trying to set it up where other factions get involved. For example, Blackwood is currently hammering out an alliance with the Thayans. Byrun also has a few contacts in <redacted> and <redacted>. Not to mention the unofficial friendships with <redacted>.

That's how I picture it, anyway.

[Doubtful]

There's been quite a bit of discussion staff side regarding new factions, fear not! Things that have been asked for are being worked on.

With regards neutral factions - It can be awkward with fiercely neutral factions to get them involved in world plots and ongoing events, sure they're fun for a quick Monster-of-the-Week (or even Series) but if they refuse to get involved in the world beyond their clubhouse then they'll very quickly get boring and left behind - Or get all angry and annoyed when the world beyond their clubhouse takes an interest in them, after all if you go around supporting certain causes then those who oppose that cause might take it upon themselves to make their dissatisfaction very clear.

Maybe it's just me though - I strongly favour chatty, RP rich and often morally awkward events over monster hunting, a clash of ideals is far more interesting and rewarding than a clash of swords (though the former may lead to the latter) or the tedium of getting the engine to play competitive who-has-the-largest-digit. I know a neutral adventurers guild can have that kind of stuff, it's just so much more of a pain to get them involved.

Anyway, Loot drop stuff is available for all those who want to brave dungeons, faction stuff is available to those who persue their factions, DM created character specific items are available to all those who put in the time and effort required to involve other players and DMs in their activities. If you chose to opt out of any of those methods then that's entirely your choice.

[thaelis]

A new faction...
....some sort of group that is not inherently filled with mercenaries, religious zealots, or political factions could arise as a place for the Lost Boys and Girls, at least then there would be some faction for players who are having trouble fitting in to other factions.

Ha, that is worryingly close to what I was thinking actually. Just a group of Good/Neutral warriors/rogues/wizards/clerics that specialise in hunting down and exterminating monsters. Basically, an Adventurer's Guild!

Was even thinking of a similar name to what you were. The Hunters. Or maybe SHIELD. Hmm, that has a nice ring to it.

It may just be that not all hands fit into that particular glove and to avoid being pidgeon-holed into a kind of Ilmatari who would fit better, I've got to stay outside the faction. I think this is wonderful and has made for great RP, but it does go to show that not all PCs are going to fit in factions, even though they are very broad and inclusive.

I think Abby's distance from the other Triumvirees is great, and has brought about some interesting RP rather than the usual "Hey! I'm holy, how 'bout u?" "Yep, pretty damn holy over here too" "Sweet".

But yeah, she has to suffer (i.e. not get faction gear) as penance for not fitting in with the cool kids. Which makes sense from a certain perspective.

[sonuvalich]

A new faction might help that. I was thinking of trying to start one with some newbie paladin I rolled up. It would be a good/neutral faction I was going to dub the Hounds (my paladin has the track feat and worships the god of tracking...because he's odd!) and was going to be sorta a bounty hunting/sheriff's department group made up mostly of civilians and the disenfranchised. Then I thought maybe that was a lame idea.

But if some sort of group that is not inherently filled with mercenaries, religious zealots, or political factions could arise as a place for the Lost Boys and Girls, at least then there would be some faction for players who are having trouble fitting in to other factions. Something that had ideals of strength in numbers, we have to help ourselves nobody else will do it, and sanctuary for anyone who is not overtly evil or insane...kinda like the prison in Walking Dead (or Alexandria in the comics)

[Chocolate Radio]

Factions are not all-inclusive in terms of mentalities, and there is no catch-all faction on the server for those that do not apply to any of the included ones. From what I've seen, reputation values are there to record successes, rank, and loyalty to the overall scheme of a faction rather than a collection of various individuals' collective opinion on a character. Outside of what a character has roleplayed themselves to be, there is no mechanical "everyone loves me" value.

[Laurk]

Exactly. Healing those who hurt "no matter who they are" is a valid and source RP position some Ilmatari take, and also a big part of Ilmatari dogma, but not one that seems to fit well within the Triumvirite and the Paladin code. In fairness though, I've only had interactions with PC Trimvirite, and they are mostly all Paladins who would have very legit problems with that philosophy. I have yet to get a chance to speak with father Melchoir, the revred father and representitive of Ilmatari's faith on the subject. Still if the final say in the Triumvirite falls to paladins instead of priests, It may just be that not all hands fit into that particular glove and to avoid being pidgeon-holed into a kind of Ilmatari who would fit better, I've got to stay outside the faction. I think this is wonderful and has made for great RP, but it does go to show that not all PCs are going to fit in factions, even though they are very broad and inclusive.

In any case, that means no banner running for Abby and very little DM granted rep, so as a PC who can only get rep from vouches, I'd like to see vouches get a bit more umph since it doesn't seem to be possible to get far in the reputation department if vouches stay so low.

Granted, PCs like Alice & Abby are not the norm by a longshot, and changing things to suite such a small minority would be a bit silly.

[Lotus]

Because I can't be in the Triumvirate because of my insistence on total neutrality, which runs directly against the Triumvirate's stance on ne'er-do-wells

Fixed that for you.

[Laurk]

Alice RPs a non combatant. So she doesn't go into dungeons or participate in combat oriented events. She can get rep from high ranking members, but the vouches are so small, that without running banners, she'll never get anywhere.

It's the same with Abby. Because I can't be in the Trimvirite because of all the Paladins who have a problem with Ilmaters' dogma of healing anyone, I'm stuck being unable to get rep either as banners are unavailable. Abby is in Alice's boat of being stuck with vouches, and vouches just don't give you enough to be relivant. I might get one or two a week, and they are only 12-20 each. It could be cool if they were worth at least as much as grinding out a banner from a dungeon.

[ManUtd4Ever]

Basically, I've had to accept the fact that Alice will pretty much always be ranked lowest...

...It's not something I'm really upset over, because I expected it to be this way from the start, but it's somewhat disappointing.

I do not know your character in game, so forgive my ignorance. What prevents your character from accompanying anyone into battle? There are plenty of military advisors who do so without ever lifting a weapon or firing a shot in anger.

I am aware of zero limitations on any character participating in any event. I shared with DM Doubt once after an event he ran that I was surprised it was "more a thinking man's game" vs. a "hack and slash." I was prepared for the hack and slash version, but woefully under prepared for the complex nature of his event.

My point... please do not be disappointed. There are plenty of opportunities for characters to get involved in their factions regardless of the melee prowess.

Cheers!

[ManUtd4Ever]

How does vouching flow right now?

As a senior faction member I can vouch for one faction member per day. I have ~28,700 reputation points. I think my vouches constitute 22 rep points per event.

[GodBeastX]

How does vouching flow right now?

[Elusa]

Alice is another great example, she's a non combatant, however her appointment to House Hellstrom's [Correction: Blackwood's] Conciliator position should be an ENOURMOUS rep bonus in House Hellstrom, and even a bit of a boost in other factions. It means that through RP alone without any dungeon romping at all, she managed to achieve a position of power and influence.

It really seems like carving out dungeons would be the "least" rewarding way to get rep.

Thanks for the mention. Basically, I've had to accept the fact that Alice will pretty much always be ranked lowest. I can only get rep from vouching at the moment. The events are almost always combat focused, which means Alice can't participate and therefore can't get any rep from DMs. It's not something I'm really upset over, because I expected it to be this way from the start, but it's somewhat disappointing.

My suggestions:
1) Increase vouching rep. Currently it's hardly worth bothering.
2) Provide non-combat sources of rep, e.g. crafting quests.

[Grand Unified Theory]

Oh, okay. I did misunderstand you then; I wasn't aware you were a faction leader. I get what 'ya mean, agreed.

[cmosier]

At GUT: I was actually speaking from the stand point of a Faction Leader. I like try a reward those who are good, or at least what I perceive as good, role players. I don't want to punish people for having a life, just because I don't always have a lot to do. Most "some times" players are cool about it. I just like to let them know, for what it's worth, I appreciate the RP. :-)

[Jhickey]

I try my best to stay involved, coming up with interesting little schemes and ideas that can influence things for my faction rather than concerning myself over individual reputation points. The points are just a number. The respect, friendship, and willingness to be involved in each other's plots of your fellow players beat out any quantitized digit any day.

Well stated. Even though I am not the greatest of RPers, I always love the little moments when I can interact or help others on their plot lines. If it is a major or even a minor roll, or I happened to say the right thing at the right time. It is all I relative fun, and the rep with the other players comes along with those interactions.