player-run events

[me_less]

Out of curiosity, is there any issue with setting up player-run events?

Here's an example: I coordinate OOCly with an EPC (evil player character) on something like escorting a PC mage from the city to the gates of Sundren (while stopping at potential ambush sites like the Hills). The EPC organizes some his fellow EPC's and plan an attack on the escort party. Then, we perform said event and everyone gets to have fun. We may even have an loot award for the winners just like you would if you killed off a NPC or finished a quest.

The reason I bring this up is because of a number of points:
1) You have to catch a DM when he's on and/or he's not playing his/her PC. I know that a couple are out-of-pocket but it's also because DM's have lives too.
2) There is a current stigma of high-level PC's and low-level PC's adventuring together. Either low-level PC's can't keep up with the high-level PC's. Or the staff frowns upon high-level PC's going to a lower-level area.
3) Sitting around the campfire for hours isn't fun for everyone.

Please don't take this as a complaint session. I'm actually trying to inject other options for RP when a DM isn't around and trying to take initiative to do so. I'm asking first so I don't get pummeled in the head after the fact for taking initiative. I talked to a player or two on the subject and they seem favorable to the idea.

PS: There other alternatives to address the points I listed (like getting more DM's or having an apprentice feature where high-level PC's are encouraged to hang out with low-level PC's), but please don't derail my thread too far Start a new one instead! Hehehe.

[Phantom Lamb]

This sounds great, but be careful not to cross over god-modding boundaries. You can't speak for an NPC you don't own. So, in the example above, you can't pick a random wizard to escort that you see in the city, nor can you make one up. You can escort another PC though.

Material rewards can come from players. I'll hand out XP rewards if you PM me with the details of what went down.

I'd suggest having it revolve around the goals of a PC. If you're just randomly escorting someone, what's the purpose?

Initiative is good, thanks Elijah

[Rhifox]

Player-run events are always a good thing.

I'd suggest using alts for the purpose of NPCs, if you haven't already thought of that, as that's a good way of getting NPCs without actually having the ability to possess them. I was in an RP community on SWG where we had a specific group of players who would regularly roll NPC alt characters for the purpose of player-run events and it was a very successful endeavour.

Easy ideas for starters are obviously coordinating things like parties or competitions. For instance, a few months back we had a, I believe player-run, fight night at Jimmy's Bar. It was very successful, albeit it only happened one night as they never got around to coordinating more of them. Things like that spice up the world without being too hard to realize (the fight night event did have DMs around to open the cage and remove the NPCs, but you can easily hold one elsewhere. This also solves the issue of random OOC fights, as you give people an opportunity to fight with each other for an IC purpose). Taking the idea of alts into consideration, you could roll up a character for the purpose of acting as an announcer/scorekeeper for the event if your own PC has no IC reason.

[Anks]

I happend to like this idea.

For one.. I could use more than sitting around in the campfire.

Two.. It would be nice for me to actually do something with lower level characters that might be fun and productive.

[Phantom Lamb]

Well, be VERY CAREFUL here.

Even with alts, there is NO transference of items or wealth. You can't create a wizard, give him gold, then have him conduct a quest where gold is the reward.

We're walking a very fine line here, so just be careful. I'm willing to doll out XP for these kinds of events but they HAVE to be within the rules.

[Anks]

Well, be VERY CAREFUL here.

Even with alts, there is NO transference of items or wealth. You can't create a wizard, give him gold, then have him conduct a quest where gold is the reward.

We're walking a very fine line here, so just be careful. I'm willing to doll out XP for these kinds of events but they HAVE to be within the rules.

This is actually a very valid concearn, and someone might think to abuse this to "Twink" A lower level character and get Xp while hes at it. so if these things go down im sure everyone will do their best to stay within the rules

[me_less]

*taking notes*

Thanks for the thumbs up and warnings, PL. I was thinking the same in terms of material rewards. The "winner" of the event could "loot" the losers. Nothing too substantial of course --- 200 stags or something per PC involved (agreed upon before hand --- I figure this is more than what some bosses give). Main intent is to have fun... not twink anyone. And yeah, in the sample event I mentioned, it was going to be a PC headed up to the gates to conduct some business.

Rhifox, I was thinking of just having the EPC's (many players have good and evil alts) just wear hoods or disguises. The EPC's can then be treated like any other NPC (I don't un-hood every enemy I come across. I just treat them as "dead")

And Anks, this will hopefully give you the opportunity to show off your evil side. Let's see what you're made of.

[Rhifox]

Rhifox, I was thinking of just having the EPC's (many players have good and evil alts) just wear hoods or disguises. The EPC's can then be treated like any other NPC (I don't un-hood every enemy I come across. I just treat them as "dead")

Well for what you were currently planning, yes, hoods with current would be fine. But for future, not all events work with hooded NPCs, and sometimes players may not realize the character is acting as an NPC.

But as PL says, any alts created would still have to follow the rules regarding muling and so on. Possibly any such alts could record the event and request the DMs to provide the rewards afterwards, if rewards are even necessary (many players will participate in events even if there is no physical reward, just for the fun of it. Sometimes just saying 'hands over X stags' in emotes is enough if you clearly establish beforehand that you'll just be using 'emote money' rather than gameplay money, if that's acceptable by the DMs).

Just thoughts, anyways.

[darcane]

I made my own player event awhile back...One of my character's kidnapped another character.It was pretty cool and those that were involved enjoyed it also.

[Deathmage]

Please, guys, when you're planning this kind of stuff, involve me. You have no idea how depressing it is to live in NZ where peak times involve something like five players.

Loot and XP isn't important, but I'd certainly like to have fun!

(this is in no way a complaint at Mach, who is really a great, creative DM. It's just that my playing hours don't seem to mesh very well with his. )

[nickbeat]

Also, it helps if everyone understands how subdual works. Nobody wants to go the the forest of night, so best to use subdual.

People that end up winded should comply by remaining on the ground helpless until they are tended to by another player. Basically act like you are dead, but without the XP penalty!

I've had people just get up and run around after being subdued, and that is just not how it was intended. You basically have to play dead when you are 'winded'. Healing by another in your party of course would be a fair way to recover.

[me_less]

Darc,
I remember that too. Especially since it was Jos'iah that foiled everything for you! *grins* I was kind hoping for some Banites tonight before I logged off. Oh well, next time. I know you're game for this stuff so I'll definitely hit you up.

Nickbeat,
Yeah. Each team will have to ensure their boys/girls will be on subdual mode. and we'll definitely establish ground rules.

Deathmage,
If I see you on, I'll definitely include you.

Rhifox,
Good points. We'd have to make it work or maybe just keep the events simple. Using "Tell" to coordinate is difficult. I'll have to figure out a good system. Perhaps we'll just do regular PC escorts or Legionnaire patrols through specific areas and let bad guys ambush us for now.

Anks,
Where's your "swarm"?? I thought you had more pull!

Anyone else,
PM me if you're interested or have any specific ideas. I don't know everyone's "motivations" so it's difficult to plan.

[Anks]

Darc,
I remember that too. Especially since it was Jos'iah that foiled everything for you! *grins* I was kind hoping for some Banites tonight before I logged off. Oh well, next time. I know you're game for this stuff so I'll definitely hit you up.

Nickbeat,
Yeah. Each team will have to ensure their boys/girls will be on subdual mode. and we'll definitely establish ground rules.

Deathmage,
If I see you on, I'll definitely include you.

Rhifox,
Good points. We'd have to make it work or maybe just keep the events simple. Using "Tell" to coordinate is difficult. I'll have to figure out a good system. Perhaps we'll just do regular PC escorts or Legionnaire patrols through specific areas and let bad guys ambush us for now.

Anks,
Where's your "swarm"?? I thought you had more pull!

Anyone else,
PM me if you're interested or have any specific ideas. I don't know everyone's "motivations" so it's difficult to plan.

Dude... its late thats where my swarms at missing =)

On that note. Please dont use summons aswel they bypass the whole subdual thing and people will die.

[EndsBeginning]

When I can get back on (with luck as soon as next week) please please please let me in one of those. I've been going crazy coming home and having what is otherwise a NICE computer having no video card and therefore no way to play. Combined with my circle of friends just splintering in the 8 months I was away I've been near the edge of insanity from boredom alone, leaving out family problems and going back to college.

[Phantom Lamb]

Ugh. This is starting to more resemble a game of Counterstrike than roleplay...

Setting teams? An agreed-upon outcome? Come on guys--risk and reward.

I know players love subdual, but it is not there to be agreed upon OOCly beforehand. Subdual is there in case the attacker does not want to KILL the person he's attacking. It is not meant to circumvent XP loss, even though that's what it does in the end. Using subdual, or not, should ALWAYS BE A RP DECISION and not dictated beforehand.

The more I'm reading everyone's thoughts on this event, the less I'm liking it. If you set everything up in advance, you take risk and roleplay out of the equation. I can't tell you how many times I hear players complain that DM events are "predetermined."