What is your favourite kind of environment in which to socialize?

[Saulus]

I would just like to get some general feedback from people on what makes a good environment to kick back in. Obviously questing will not take up 100% of a player's time and some of it will be spent socializing. What kinds of environments do you like best? A tavern is a good choice, but what might make one tavern more appealing than the other?

[Dragoncleric]

"And so you all meet up at the tavern..."
Is that not the most overly used D&D line ever? Oh no wait that would be: "I'm Drizzt Do'Urden."
Er heh, bad attempt at humour. Anywho...

I've seen attempts to do it outside, and in taverns. Gimmicks are nice, but I think most players in this game prefer places that are also, easy to get to, and are where you can be seen and meet up with other players.
Am I wrong on this?

Even if that is only me, I think places to socialise in D&D are usully the places players go to before and after they have done some adventuring. Most don't want to 'run'/walk halfway through a town just to chat. They want to log in, and find some people. (if they aren't crafting or trying to do something on their own)

So what's this mean? How about a tavern that's more then the tavern? 'Cheers' always rings a bell. Aye, the tele show. Quarks from DS9 then for those of you who had never seen that 80's show then. (Morn/Norm?)

It's got to have the locals you grow fond of. It has to be big enough to hold heaps of people, and it needs to offer its unique brand of social services.
Have an open stage for the bards, perhaps some quiet rooms? The layout is really up to you all. Heck it can have an open spaced centre for all we care aye?
Just keep it close to the hub of player traffic, and let it be the place we go to meet to do things as a group. Keep the players involved with it and I'm sure it'll take on a life of its own as well.

But um, that's my 2 cp anyways. Not worth much but I'm sure someone will add on to it and add more.

[Euniana]

Inside a quaint little tavern with adequate lighting, not too many NPCs, and plenty of small lounging areas.

[Abyss]

Taverns are necessary, but overdone. I was on a server once that used a simple circle of benches around a tree. It was near the spawn point of every major city (And a few minor ones). It worked really well. So don't forget to add parks and gardens and the like, too... Good outside places to hang out.

[lawlerskate]

I was thinking more of a holodeck.

[Revil]

Mabye the town square would be a good place to socialize.

[GodBeastX]

Honestly, it depends on my character. I liked sitting in front of a fire often in NWN1 when RP'ing conversations. I also liked just sitting on rocks slightly off the road so people passing by might be inclined to join the socializing. I think some quiet places and some public places for RP should exist throughout the realm. I believe more focus should be on the roleplay than the run around and killing with zones, however, we'll likely wind up focusing on the killing due to some limitations with areas in NWN2... for now.

[Soulbadguy]

Well in my experience it seems you really only need one tavern per town.. seems everytime you make a tavern that is in the slums.. no one goes to it.. you make one for the rich people.. no one goes to it.. in the middle? Yep... usually thats the place everyone goes too. Sometimes it is the Tavern with the "nexus point". A place where there are crossroads of sorts.. where you can easily go all directions.


The all around Tavern area seems always a good place for me. If you make a tavern with outside seats, chances are everyone usually goes to the outside and sits there.

I agree with Godbeast as well. Places with the "hint" of an Socialize place is cool too. Logs infront of a waterfall.. benches near a road.. etc. Those are cool places for little talks and gatherings.

[Abyss]

I second Godbeast's opinions. RP spots should be spread out everywhere, and greatly varied to accommodate many different kinds of characters.

[Morpheus]

I think the "Cheers" type place is interesting. I think, if you intend to have this be more of an RP place, that upper class taverns are needed, not sure if you need one in the slums if you have a middle class one as a catch all. Dirty little taverns can be used in tandem with some great quests and RP though. Now if this is going to be more hack/slash then these issues are non issues.
The park idea is sound. I would like to see some games to be had while there, perhaps chess?
2 cents

[Black-Eagle]

I prefer the tavaren style, its allways a good place for RP, you can do whatever you want, drink or listen to a story by the fire, get drunk or planing the next attack on that evil lord who plans to destroy the city :P

another option is the town squre, few shops, sit places, fountain and things like that.

[Sarya]

I too like taverns, but I must admit that quiet places in the nature attract as well and I'd like to see them in Sundren. Though the (exterior-)area "limitation" can make it a bit difficult.

[VFoxcraft]

I suggest an outdoor area that is centralized and easy to get to from just about anywhere in the city in question. Two reasons for this, really. First, a tavern is nice, but it's also another area. What does this mean? It means you have to go into the tavern to see who's in there, which as silly as it sounds, may act as a deterrent. If you see someone sitting on a bench in a park that you want to talk to while you're on your way to do something else, you will have the opportunity to stop and speak with them. If they are on the tavern, and you dont' go in the tavern while going about your other business, you'll miss the chance for rp. Considering that this mod is meant to primarily be on of RP, I suggest facilitating the chance of rp as much as possible. The second reason is one of experience. I have seen an area like the one I've described, and I've seen taverns. Hands down, the outdoor central location has attracted more people and rp by a lot.

[TheId]

Speaking entirely from a designer stand point, it's difficult to ferry people into one general "social area." One of my primary goals however, has been to allow a variety of locations for people to role play in without turning the module into Sundren: The Next Generation. I am eager to see who hangs out where when the server is more developed. I imagine many people will be meeting up in the trade district though above all.

[Cha0ticGoblin]

My favorite meeting place is in my very own private dungeon. I lure people there with a goldcoin tied to a string and then we all can have a most pleasant time togheter. If it you'd like we can even spice it up a notch by having a contest.. The onee that screams and begs for mercy the loudest wins. *makes shivers run down my spine* Ooo...how I'm so gonna enjoy DM'ing again.