What can be done to save Sundren?

[Dispater]

I am making myself available as much as possible, and I am always open to people requesting things of me! If you find yourself in game, alone or not, during the hours I've posted send me a PM! If I don't get any, sometimes I may decide to do other things, so don't be shy with them.

Also, I will try to place some special encounters for you folks to find, or other unique things, one or two days a week. I will try to post the days I do this, but it never hurts to get in game and do some adventuring and some RP! I can't remember who posted the idea for the 'easter egg hunt', but I am running with it.

Lastly, look forward to a new (DM Dispater®) mini-plot, and soon! Get in game people, I am going to be running some random events leading into it, and once started I will be running scheduled events to keep it moving. Every side will have some stake, so get in there.

[DM_Acorn]

Players can schedule times as well as DMs. In fact I should think that would be even more effective in terms of getting something going.

I have seen a group of players self organize and maintain a "mission board." They always had a ton of fun regardless of who else was on.

Surely we could use more staff. That is a given. Kuscotopia had nice suggestions on opening up contributions in some way and Doubt has echoed albeit in a different way... I guess what I am saying is; thinking of things you would like to see changed/added/improved is fine but better if you think about what you can add or contribute. Some of us write extremely excellent posts. Put those skills to work writing quests for the rest of us. Make a map, draw a map to inspire someone else to make a map. Submit your ideas for villains/antagonists. Maybe we will use them or hell even let you play them.

I think this is a good thread but at the risk of sounding cliche' I want to change it - Not what can be done to "save Sundren?" but rather, "This is what I am doing to save Sundren."

Here I will start. Next Sunday (16th) is International Schild day. I will be online Sunday evening (GMT) and up playing about in the snow. If you have a plot that involves the spine or perhaps just a penchant for some wintery fun drop me a line, get a group together or just join me.

(will post exact time when I sort that out, somewhere about 5-10pm GMT+1 if I get a request from someone for specific times within or about that range I will try to accomodate.)

[Doubtful]

I think this is a good thread but at the risk of sounding cliche' I want to change it - Not what can be done to "save Sundren?" but rather, "This is what I am doing to save Sundren."

Here I will start. Next Sunday (16th) is International Schild day. I will be online Sunday evening (GMT) and up playing about in the snow. If you have a plot that involves the spine or perhaps just a penchant for some wintery fun drop me a line, get a group together or just join me.

In work at the moment they're getting really hot on this whole pledge thing, though apparently they've very little in the way of sense of humour. Apparently "rule the skies with an iron fist" isn't suitable.

Buuuut, I feel I can do a pledge here - To help reinvigorate Sundren I'll do one or two mapping sessions a week. Tweaks, changes and what not to reflect rp events. The catch is that people (players and dms) need to let me know what needs doing.

[Gamling]

Another suggestion:

I think if Sundren were a bigger world that it would attract people. Getting rid of the world map transition and making players travel. Some might say this is boring but this would force people to happen upon each other naturally, and these transitory areas should have a purpose. Put buildings, lore-bits, or other neat things in these areas.

[pixiegirl]

^I can agree with that because it becomes a lot more immersive as a player to be thrown into the mystery of traveling rather to know where you are going all the time, but I think the only reason why that world map exists is because it helps with server overhead. Simplicity can be a good thing sometimes.

[Dispater]

There is also a hardcap on server size, on top of the lack of mappers, that makes this harder. I do like the idea, though. I've never been all too fond of the world map. Maybe someone with more knowledge of this can chime in if this were a possibility.

[bipolar bear]

could the world map be altered so that one couldn't just simply jump from mirikus post, to the gates of sunderer? what I mean is could it not be made that one would have to pass through the trading post, then too inn then too the gates? it would make sence to me. would this not accomplish nearly the same idea?

just a thought.

[Tupoun]

Hi,

just imagine this one:

- world map removed,
- you need buy something in a specific shop in the city,
- run into to city - find the shop,
- from Sundren run towards the Spine - let's choose the temple of Auril or another distant place, where you have some meeting,
- let's say you are waiting yet for another 2 guys running somewhere getting their potions for the battle etc.

Now imagine adding another X locations simulating the "in-between" areas between Argyle/Aquor etc. and run also through them.

Still enjoying the game? I bet it would take few minutes/half an hour? With the spawns slowing you down? Just to get somewhere actually? Well, definitely not me .

Cheers.

[Lotus]

Immersive RP experience versus convenience of fast global travel? The RP is going to win every time. To me, it's a question of resources, not convenience.

[Doubtful]

So many people complained about having to go all the way through chains of areas that we ended up sticking in various world map shortcuts.

Still, I agree. Travel should take time, a soz style world map might be a good compromise. But... DEV time rears its ugly face again.

[Dispater]

I agree with Lotus and Doubt (about Dev issue). While people did complain about the run from location X to Sundren City at first, I think that stemmed from all other travel taking much less time. If the whole map were done this way, I think players would simply get used to it. Probably even come to enjoy it. Having the map set up that way makes adventures feel more like adventures.

One of the problems with doing away with the world map, as mentioned, are the stores. That could be lessened by just having multiple NPC's (set in various locations: Exigo, Forum, Aquor, or Port for example) linked to the same stores (mostly just Potions/Healing kits/Scroll/Ammo vendors). All others you should have to make the trek to find!

That is my two-cents.

[pixiegirl]

More NPC stores is a quick fix, too.

[Dave Fritz]

For me, it's the story. The maps, connections, travel, stores and so on are all secondary.

The story needs to move along, even if only in an episodic manner with short plot-lines. And the plot-lines that happen need to be completed. Old ones that never finished are gone, but new ones must finish.

The players need to be involved, perhaps even the prime movers. This may require ceding some control from the staff to the players. If so, so be it.

IMHO, this is what will bring people back and attract new players.

[Dispater]

Too many NPC stores is hard to manage, which is why thestores are as they are now. I agree that the story needs to move along and once my hectic RL schedule gets back to normal I will have a scheduled plot for you folks. Expect to see it start next week or the following at the latest.

[Silas North]

The players need to be involved, perhaps even the prime movers. This may require ceding some control from the staff to the players. If so, so be it.

This! I could do this as a pm, but there's no point.

Players need to be in control of what happens and what does not. There should never be an event where the outcome is pre-arranged and the outcome of what occurs should be based on the actions of the players. It's possible to 'lead' without a concrete path.

However, this message needs to be understood not by just the staff, but even moreso the players as well. It seems sometimes players are afraid to even cut a fart without DM permission. Remember you carry more weight with a bunch of players saying that you're this and that than a bunch of npcs. This is within reason of course, but more reason than you may realize. Saulus maybe a hardass, but he's no tyrant.

All the more reason for a story reboot. It gives the chance for a fresh enough start and to carve an influence. This is ESPECIALLY true if done in the fashion Doubt suggested. Be a leader of troops, be a frontiersman, maybe get a new area named after you. There's still plenty of ways to make use of the currently existing areas and accomplish all this without turning the server upside down and shaking it like a big digital etch-a-sketch.

Might I suggest a poll to ask who's in favor of a reboot?