Thoughts on the death system...

[Saulus]

We're short on volunteers right now, things are moving slowly but steadily.

[mumsesk]

I am new to the server and just wondering if the death system is different then what is explained in the FAQ?

[Ethelo]

It is, yeah. Have a look here:

http://www.sundren.org/forum/showthread.php?t=6299

The diamond requirements have been lowered since that post.

[Belwas]

After letting the new death system stew for a while... you guys did a great job.

It is now to be feared.

[Morgan]

Truely. If I die, I walk around the house banging my fist against my head and pulling my hair shouting "stupid, stupid, stupid!". You have achieved the desired effect.

[rustediron]

Truly.

[mumsesk]

I'm a bit concerned now if there isn't a "timer". The character I have been playing is evil(still a low lvl), and will more than likely be killed at some point if not by straying into an area that he shouldn't, then by a good aligned paladin in pvp.

I realize playing an evil character has obvious risks, but what would prevent a player from picking up his corpse and never dropping it off at a temple? Essentially perma-death then? I am new here and maybe a bit confused on how this system works.

[lordmaple]

I'm a bit concerned now if there isn't a "timer". The character I have been playing is evil(still a low lvl), and will more than likely be killed at some point if not by straying into an area that he shouldn't, then by a good aligned paladin in pvp.

Good aligned Paladins won't attack an Evil character "just because you are evil." That falls underneath "just because I don't like you" , which is a no-no with PVP on Sundren.

Also- if you know you shouldn't stray into an area...why *would* you. You can usually "Examine" an enemy in an introductory room/chamber before progressing to your death.

Also, understand that "Evil" doesn't mean "I plan to kill everything in this land", although it *might*. Evil just means you are:

a) Extremely self interested.
b) You have an ethos that falls outside of "humanity", aka, the Judeo/Christian/Muslim/Buddhist/Shinto ethos. Ethos means "belief system". I had a post on this in the "NEUTRAL IS NEUTRAL" thread. Go read it.

Most "saavy" Evil characters live until a higher level because they understand that direct conflict should be reserved. If you plan on being a "Doombringer" that, upon a certain level, you begin to slay people at random, expect to be stopped with *extreme* haste. Even followers of Cyric and Bane aren't *that* stupid, unless your an Avatar, and then...well, your technically a God...and there are no Avatars on Sundren that aren't DM's

I realize playing an evil character has obvious risks, but what would prevent a player from picking up his corpse and never dropping it off at a temple? Essentially perma-death then? I am new here and maybe a bit confused on how this system works.

Cost.

Picking up a corpse costs more than simply resurrecting it. If your going to spend that amount of money to just *spite* someone, you probably deserve it. Otherwise, if a random passerby finds you and picks you up (spending a hell of a lot of money in the process), the cost of bringing them back to life at that point is *cheaper* as long as they get to the Temple of Helm. You are very likely to be resurrected.

You can play an evil character, but I think you need to understand what evil really means. If your just waiting to get levels so you can jump people, the reprisal will be swift- and permanent.

*an aside*

I wouldn't mind an alternative to the "diamond only system". If there was a timer, it should be *long*. Lets say a few hours. No AFK. We aren't talking minutes.

...also, you could always appeal to the mercy of the DM's. If someone does have your corpse in their inventory and hasn't logged on in a few days, something might be able to be worked out. If you have an OOC reason why you died (emergency, etc), and you aren't lying through your teeth, I'm sure if you reasonably posted a plea, you might get some help.

You could also appeal to your god directly IC'ly. If you worship them well, and your plea is just, and your death untimely, your god might raise you. But this is again, something involving a DM.

But, the fact of the matter is, death was too cheap on Sundren previously. I support the new system because it is a step in the right direction- I'm not saying it couldn't use some refinement.

Also note, that when quests and reputation come into play, Diamonds will be cheaper for certain people, so the cost will go down...for those who are aligned with certain gods that have mercy on nearly anyone. (Illmater is a good example).

[mumsesk]

Thanks for the reply lordmaple,

However I do not need an explanation from you on "how" to play an evil character. I have no desire to play this character along the terms which you have described.

I disagree with you as far as a paladin and possible cohorts attacking my character for his "beliefs". He was confronted by 4 players earlier after admitting his favoured deity and would have been killed if the server had not crashed or reset. I have no problem with that though however the likelihood of being raised "somehow" would be questionable.

[valenator]

That's the price you pay for being a Banite in a land at war with Banites.

[mumsesk]

The "price" of my characters decision in choosing his deity is now understood by seeing the opinion of the populace. My err was admitting his "beliefs" which I will make sure he does not do so now if it is not too late.

[valenator]

Brushing up on your Sundarian lore will help you out in that regard, in the future.

Anyway, death system's great. Anything that makes the player fear death and encourages partying up is good for the server.

[Jaeram]

I was one of the 4 characters that confronted your banite cleric . I suppose in all fairness, me and one of the others did our best to warn him to leave IC'ly before someone of authority showed up, but someone showed up and started asking about him. Now I don't necessarily know if he would have killed you if you didn't attack you, but he may have tried to RP an arrest for herecy or some sorts. One way or another I think it would have been fun, and there is a .subdual system we could use to say... 'kill' you and then drag you off to a cemetery or the woods, and you wouldn't have actually died and lost a signus. A lot of people try not to use the in game engine to deal with confrontations, although it does happen. I really wish the server wouldn't have crashed now lol. Hope to see you in game, I admire the people who play the evil characters, I can't bring myself to do it, even when they aren't ostracized. Sorry for the text wall .

[mumsesk]

Jaeram,

Yes, you did warn my character to leave and he was doing so before one of the Triumvarite had made a presence. My char was in the midst of lying and trying to play if he were a drunken fool without any knowledge of his statements. If these statements have been made before the crash, the Triumvarite Paladin would not have anything to justify an "arrest" or "killing".

I really enjoyed this rp encounter with you all regardless of factions and hope to continue.

[Jaeram]

of course