Can we promote Arch-enemies?

[ManUtd4Ever]

Arch-enemy
noun
noun: arch-enemy; plural noun: arch-enemies; noun: archenemy; plural noun: archenemies

1. a person who is extremely opposed or hostile to someone or something.
   "the twins were arch-enemies"
   • the Devil.
     noun: Arch-enemy; noun: the Arch-enemy
   
   
   

...I have a Black Hand character that longs for the rivalry that existed between Clive and Dain (If you don't know of what I speak, then PM me).


If anyone is up to the task... then I would be happy to entertain your efforts. Specifically, I am looking for someone from Team Good to work with Magnus to develop a solid RP-based rivalry.


Cheers!

[nezzerscape]

I would think that for it to work, both would need to be at the same build-level (not actual level, some builds are better than others). It would be no fun if one could always stomp on the other.

That said you might state some basic things you can do, solo Mossdale, solo the Kill the Palidan Quest, etc. Nothing that could be used meta-wise (thought we should all be gown up enough).

Just my 2 cents.

Nez
(BTW, great idea!)

[Lotus]

Dain had several rivalries, the big two being Clive and Adeodatus. In the first case, Clive was initially much more powerful. In both cases, Dain was eventually exponentially more powerful than either of them. To stay relevant, Clive became the evil that Dain chased, who wreaked his havoc and then bounced when the pesky Paladin showed up. Adeodatus became the evil that Dain couldn't reach, using deception, diplomacy, and a long reach to work his machinations in a way that kept him out of Smite range.

That's all to say that you don't need a competitive PvP balance to make an effective rivalry; you just need either opposing values or mutual coveting of the same narrow spot and the willingness to play to your strengths and exploit your rival's weaknesses.

It's as basic or complex as it needs to be. If you want to escape the paladin, have the means of escape on hand or create a situation that enables that escape. For example, if you're the Joker being chased by Batman, throw the hostage off of a building. While he's busy saving an innocent, you bail.

If you're Lex Luthor, don't break the law in a way that can be proven and Superman won't touch you. Smile, give coats to the homeless, and work your tentacles until they fully envelop the world, all the while the lawful-good superhero just watches it happen.

[nezzerscape]

good point!

[Jhickey]

Well said Lotus!

You hit the nail on the head, I think these things happen naturally and are present in many forms.

Datton was always chasing Dain, could not in the least compete with him physically, never the less he was a pain to Datton. He was more rivals with those that came up with him, e.g. Darius and Emilia (Sort off a generational thing).

I think what is required is that someone has to be willing to play that game with you, has to be close to the circles that you run, and know that you are accessible too. Allow them to happen naturally, because they eventually will.

[Fury]

Mmmm... I think Lotus put this as succinctly and as eloquently as possible- Arch-rivalries aren't the sort of thing you "plan" this way. It's an organic process, and honestly it doesn't even have to be specifically "team good vs team evil". A political rival within your own faction can work, even. In the end, an arch enemy is just that person who, through some twist of fate, is always there- screwing up everything you try to accomplish. And so begins a cycle of each trying to end the other. I don't see how you can ever really plan for that in an OOC way that wouldn't end up forcing the RP and making it too scripted.

[ManUtd4Ever]

Mmmm... I think Lotus put this as succinctly and as eloquently as possible- Arch-rivalries aren't the sort of thing you "plan" this way.

I don't believe that was Lotus' point. His point, which was well stated, was that a player's mechanical abilities need not be equal to an opposing player for their to be meaningful conflict. What is required is an opposing set of values and a willingness to let those values drive your role play. He also made the point that PvP is not the only form of opposition - thus reinforcing his principal point about mechanics.

As a player of Magnus, I felt I had a perfect arch-enemy in Thresh. We had an in game encounter fueled by our religious beliefs. Magnus was a low level character... so he decided to solicit support from others to oppose Thresh. He succeeded only to find his proxy was being called out in the forum for being heavy handed. I had to abandon that plot line as a result.

Whether it is organic or not, players decide to create characters to interact within a bounded environment. So as to avoid hurting anyone's feelings... I am attempting with this post to solicit interest from anyone willing to oppose Magnus and his values.

Cheers!

[Fury]

Ah, if I recall, the whole thing with Thresh played out more like a pvp grudge-fest that ended with both sides being very ill tempered OOCly; rather than any sort of in depth RP and development of an arch rivalry. If what you're seeking is someone to say "Hey, I'm totally down with dropping the gauntlets whenever our characters run across one another on the server", then you need to say as such. Which, mind, there is nothing at all wrong with that kind of arrangement if both parties are cool with it- but I doubt you're going to find anyone overly open to it.

[Requiem]

I agree with Fury's sentiment that finding nemeses should be an organic process, not something that we solicit. If you are encouraging people to roll up characters diametrically opposed to Magnus I am all for that, because I see an imbalance when I log in of evil/neutral characters vs. good/neutral characters. That being said, in-faction rivalries can also make for good nemeses since you shouldn't be fighting them with weapons but with words and actions and deceit, so RP vs. PvP.

I also agree with your point that looking for a nemesis could cause some OOC grief. Sometimes we take what happens to us in our fun little world personally, especially if our beloved character is made to look bad. In a perfect world, we could draw boundaries and tell ourselves that the person we hate most in game could totally be an amigo outside of it. I frankly think it is testament to the players' investment in Sundren that they can get so riled up, but would rather see cooler heads prevail if and when those situations arose.

All that being said, I know a vapid, obnoxious Lathanderite who would love to squish some vampires.

[sonuvalich]

All that being said, I know a vapid, obnoxious Lathanderite who would love to squish some vampires.

Artemis was to be shot into the sun to be with her god and spare us all from the horror that is everything I put into that character. She was a tragic mistake on every level, but I won't apologize! But she really hates the vamps and went out of her way to spit in Ruby's eye at every chance, so there's history there. And if/when she dies horribly the server will be a better place.

[greypawn]

Be a support character. Kill everybody more powerful than you. Then take their girlfriends.

HI DATTON!

[OnyxTigress]

Ruby sent Artemis a little thank you note in reply to all that love that was given.

[ManUtd4Ever]

Ah, if I recall, the whole thing with Thresh played out more like a pvp grudge-fest that ended with both sides being very ill tempered OOCly; rather than any sort of in depth RP and development of an arch rivalry.

This is precisely what I wanted to avoid... There is perception and then there is reality and total recall failure. When player's friends get involved they come to their defense, etc. etc.

Magnus will sit back and wait for the appropriate time to assert himself. Thank you for you feedback!

Cheers.

[Jhickey]

Be a support character. Kill everybody more powerful than you. Then take their girlfriends.

HI DATTON!

Yes please!

[Redjack]

Lathanderites are nothing more then useful tooth picks.