Ask a DM: Grinning Death

[[DM] Grinning Death]

Hey folks,

So, I feel like it'd be better for the players if they were able to voice questions, comments, and requests of DM's if they feel it's necessary. So, here I am: ask me anything.

You can ask what kinds of plots I like to run, how often I like to DM, what color my socks are at the moment, whatever. I'm looking to open a conversation with you, the players. If you feel like you have an issue that needs to be addressed, and can do so in a respectful and constructive manner, I invite you to do so!

I just want to know what I can do, as a DM, to make things better for you, the players. So feel free to drop stuff on me, see if I'm free here or in a PM for a request, whatever it is you want to discuss, do it.

[Kaybrie]

Since nobody else is going to ask, and I need to know.

What color are your socks?
How much sleep do you get on a nightly basis?
Do you eat the big three meals of the day or small snacks?
Pepsi or Coke?
What games besides NWN2 do you play?
Have you played Saints Row 4?
Man that game is awesome?
How much oatmeal have you consumed this month?
What are your thoughts on PvP grinding?
How many fingers am I holding up?
What color's your blanket?
Describe your computer desk for me?
Do you have a car?
If so what kind?
If not why not?
Just how far will Tornbrook go?
Not Dain, his cousin, Fernaldo?
On a scale of Whitebelt to Dinosaursharkbear how would you rate yourself?

What kinds of events DO you like to run?

What's a good way to catch your attention to get a plot rolling?

Is it okay if I ask you for tips on how to make my character concept better, and more unique while fitting the lore of Sundren?

[[DM] Grinning Death]

For that, you get a cookie.

Since nobody else is going to ask, and I need to know.

What color are your socks?
Bright orange and lime green
How much sleep do you get on a nightly basis?
About 6.5-7.5 hours, due to studying and NWN2
Do you eat the big three meals of the day or small snacks?
Small snacks, consisting of protein bars and children's souls. Adult souls are too filling, and I get cramps.
Pepsi or Coke?
Coke
What games besides NWN2 do you play?
Just finished Devil May Cry: DmC
Have you played Saints Row 4?
No, but I hear good things
Man that game is awesome?
Hell yeah
How much oatmeal have you consumed this month?
Not nearly enough
What are your thoughts on PvP grinding?
Not sure what PvP Grinding is. But PvM grinding is a necessary evil. Your character needs to get stronger, and I view the entire level system as secondary to the server's reputational system. I think that levels are needed, but the real fun comes from the RP, insubstantial 'reputation' that you garner from interacting with others, as well as the substantial reputation from furthering faction goals.
How many fingers am I holding up?
Thumbs don't count.
What color's your blanket?
Hot pink
Describe your computer desk for me?
Fifty dollars, and found on craigslist. I need to eat, man.
Do you have a car?
I do
If so what kind?
2005 Honda Civic, also known as 'The Destructinator'
If not why not?
Just how far will Tornbrook go?
I hear godhood is on the table. His included domains will be 'Evil Ass Kicking', 'Vampire Ass Kicking', and 'Screw You Evil, I'm Going to Stab You in the Face.'
Not Dain, his cousin, Fernaldo?
I hear he's on deck for a promotion at the Drunken Dragon. Barback.
On a scale of Whitebelt to Dinosaursharkbear how would you rate yourself?
Eight years in martial arts, five in boxing.

What kinds of events DO you like to run?
I really enjoy personal character events. I like seeing a character have to face tough, moral decisions that make them grow as a PC. I'm not a huge fan of epic server plots, because I feel like it's too easy to get lost in the shuffle (I've been there). That being said, I do enjoy placing epic content on a PC's plate if they're well developed enough, and I've done so in the past for good groups of roleplayers. (i.e. the Abyss plotline, the Sigil plotline, and my failed Sea of Shifting Sands plotline that I really should take another look at).

Truth be told, I love running small campaign events as well. It's interesting seeing players interact when there's a story I want to tell, and they're willing to roll with it rather than try and force their way out of it. I'm all for player choice, but I like to keep it within the confines of a story-line.

What's a good way to catch your attention to get a plot rolling?

PM me with what you want to do, and how you want to do it. Keep in mind that there are things beyond my control having to do with server structure and change to static areas, but I absolutely love something I can take from a PC and turn into a quest for a group. For instance, if a player has an outside Sundren plot-hook that I can get inventive with, I can turn it into a full fledged campaign for players that want to be involved.

Is it okay if I ask you for tips on how to make my character concept better, and more unique while fitting the lore of Sundren?

You can ask any DM that, at any time. I love brainstorming with PC's, and I love hearing new ideas that I can grab plot ideas from.

The creative cycle is exactly that, a cycle. I get ideas from your PC's actions, that turn into a plot that affects your character in a way that changes them and their actions, from which I get more ideas.

[FriendlyNecromancer]

How often do you like to DM?
During what days/time are you most likely to DM?

[[DM] Grinning Death]

How often do you like to DM?
During what days/time are you most likely to DM?

It's not so much 'like' as it is 'being able'. I can only dedicate maybe two days a week so far to DM'ing. But, I like to schedule my plots and events around those two days so I'm able to realistically expect what's on my plate, and I'm not on just sitting around.

My best days are Wednesday evenings, and weekends to be honest. So, those are most likely going to be the days that I'm on (barring this weekend, because of a family event).

[wangxiuming]

Are DMs still faction-based, (or were they ever?)

Why are you a cool bean?

[[DM] Grinning Death]

Are DMs still faction-based, (or were they ever?)

Why are you a cool bean?

They were several years ago, I believe. Now, however, DM's are literate in most, if not all faction lore in order to facilitate events. That being said, DM's don't associate with factions their PC's are associated with, in order to provide a level of separation and integrity in events.

I was also under the assumption that I was a hot potato, so thank you for correcting me!

[ForsakenMustache]

How the heck do I "find" the secret wall in the Cartel caves so I can get into the lair and pwn pwn pwn?

Is the hokey pokey really what it's all about?

What was behind that door with the blue light in the monastery in Sestra? And what happened there?

[[DM] Grinning Death]

How the heck do I "find" the secret wall in the Cartel caves so I can get into the lair and pwn pwn pwn?

Gotta use that spot/search check, bud.

Is the hokey pokey really what it's all about?

Almost. But that's classified

What was behind that door with the blue light in the monastery in Sestra? And what happened there?

The area has defined lore, but it's been lost to time. I'm sure I could find it, but then what would be the fun?

[OnyxTigress]

On a more serious note here, what do the dm's plan on doing with the lack of direction that many of the factions have expressed they are feeling?

[[DM] Grinning Death]

On a more serious note here, what do the dm's plan on doing with the lack of direction that many of the factions have expressed they are feeling?

I'm not sure that's true, for the following reasons:

Whurest has a council of dwarves actively making deals with the rest of the valley. They just signed one last weekend with Exigo, and have made progress in selling their wares.

Exigo has been inactive on the PC side, only because it's players are few. NPC-wise, it's been very active in the valley.

Legion has a leader who is working with the DM's on a variety of issues, I believe.

Black Hand has a leader who is absent, but has a lieutenant who is very active. It also has fewer PC's at the moment.

Colibrites have a large number of active PC's, yourself included. Any one of you can push its goals forward, and as of tonight I had a meeting with one of the vampires concerning an unfortunate Blackwood.

Blackwood is extremely active, and has several faction leaders pushing for the liberation of Aquor.

Eboncoin is extremely active doing it's thing.

Nature lovers don't even have a faction, and they're moving plots forward on their own.

Helmites are active, and have Esmond Aurelianus as a leader pushing plots. He's somewhat alone at the moment, but that can change.

The Hands have plenty of PC's who push plots forward alongside the Legion.

The Thayans and Triumvirite have active PC's, but I'm currently unaware of the status of their plots at the moment.

But, I'd say the DM's aren't responsible for faction direction. Part of the reason the Second Sundering killed off as many NPCs as it did was because there was an outcry for more PC leadership.

So, we gave it to you.

PC's lead the factions and their goals as they see fit. We DM's have set ourselves up as facilitators, able to help you meet your goals. If however, a PC feels as though they don't know what's going on in their faction they're always free to ask their leaders, or if they don't have leaders, the DM's. We're here to help you figure out what you want your faction to do within the guidelines of the faction lore.

And of course we always welcome any cries for help if they feel their faction isn't doing anything or seemingly so. There's always the lag factor to take into account because there is a lack of staff to fulfill every single player's needs, all the time. We move plots at the rate we do because we're only fewer than a dozen people. We need to set up dates and times that work for the players in a faction, as well as discuss what we want to do about a particular goal that a player has set up.

[Shadechild]

In your time on the server, what event, be it DM or Player was the most inspirational? (Maybe aside from the Sundering? =P )

Did this affect you?

What came of it?


If you could choose one faction to play, what would it be?

Your favorite Class?

Infernal or Abyssal?