PART TWO
TECHNICALLY SPEAKING…
There are a lot of technical aspects.
This being a game, on a computer system… which can already get maddeningly technical… there are a few things to make note of, when playing.
1) This is -based- on PnP… but it is not PnP.
And while many aspects of the beloved pen and paper do manifest in NWN2, the BGTSCC Persistent World, and said events… You will not find all of them here. Some are simply not mechanically possible, some can be ‘worked around’. In most cases the DMs are willing to work with you on some things. It never hurts to ask.
Sometimes pen and paper aspects of spells or whole spells can be used with oversight and agreement of the parties involved. However, this should not happen outside of Events. In other words just because you can use Detect Evil in an event, doesn’t mean you can RP Detect Evil all over and go on a Tiefling murdering spree. Why? Because the aim of a persistent world is to be amusing for as many as possible, with as few complications as possible. Because players have a responsibility to play within the mechanics when not interacting with the DM staff. I could give a myriad of reasons for this, but it boils down to what is feasible to oversee, and what causes the least problems.
2) “The Proof is in the Pudding”
If you have never heard that phrase, or don’t understand what it means… it is an old long standing one. “I could tell you all day long that my grandmother makes the best pudding around, but the proof is in the pudding.” Applied here, it simply means that any issues should be accompanied with screen shots. Regardless of how trustworthy a player is, or how well known… DMs aren’t given the luxury of taking people at their word. Simply a Technical aspect, yes… but much time can be saved (for events and during events) if players make friends with the “Print Screen” button
(See the screen shot guide for more information)
Subject: MUM'S GUIDES: Screen Shots
3) Crash and burn… Live and Learn.
NWN2 is notorious for bugs. Add in a large scale amount of information over a variation of computers and other electronics… The stability (or instability) of infrastructure for things such as internet, servers ect… and you have what amounts to the occasional, annoying crash. It is especially disheartening during an event. Even more so after an event that has gone on for hours.
So the DM comes back and needs time to set up? Be patient. It’s really late, and set up would take hours… the DM asks for a ‘to be continued’? Unfortunate, but be understanding. In fact, along with a civil tongue and level head, patience and understanding are important, reoccurring themes that you will see here. In this instance, the crash was unintentional and regrettable… try not to take out your frustrations on the DM, who is just as likely frustrated and upset the event got interrupted as you are.
Despite the best of intentions… it is impossible to account for every bug, real life quirk/disaster and so forth. The less fun side of being a DM is tech support. It is demanding and more so during events. Some bugs can be fixed, some can’t be helped… Remember that your local neighborhood DM is not responsible for the software creators’ oversights and such. They are not Atari, Obsidian or affiliated members. In fact, DMs would like you to remember that they are people too… Just like you. “Do unto others” and all that fun stuff. A little bit of kindness and consideration on all sides tends to make the real world… and our imaginary one… spin round.
4) Lag happens.
(this will be covered extensively in the Bugs guide, just a BRIEF mention as this effects Events) Lag is something that a variety of things can effect, including objects and placables, visual effects, area of effect spells, party spells, bard songs, number of people in a map, ect… the List goes on. Combat heavy events are the worst, and most notoriously inconvenient sufferers of this plight. It is however, something that only can be fixed by reducing load… and isn’t always something DMs or players can help or prevent. Lag can also be cause by host side/server side issues as well as individual lag caused by a player’s personal connection. If you are level headed about the lag, the DMs are likely to be level headed about the issues caused by lag and even help fix them.
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