How is the Underdark?

[Kenshin]

The best tactic to get an easy start of just have fun is to go play with other people instead of grinding solo. At low levels a joint trip to the goblins with someone higher will net you a lot of XP (like 70 or 80). Likewise if you go to the Horrors, Basilisks or Illithid at around level 7 or 8.

You'll not pull your weight much unless you're a heavy hitter but the company is fun. Wizards tend to be nice to have as support later on (after level 8 or 9) but before that they are very, very vulnerable and quick to run out of spells.

It's the same with low level people on the surface going to the Cloakwood with higher level parties.

Well, of course levels can be had easily enough with aid. The only question then is just how justifiable one wants to make it on roleplay grounds.

The tough thing in the Underdark setting is that Drow are not helpful as a rule. So, getting buffed up by high level characters and or being taken along with parties where the low level character is not held accountable for pulling their weight is completely contrary to lore.

Don't get me wrong, I do these things just like everyone else does, but it is certainly not authentic behavior in terms of the setting.

[Aelcar]

The best tactic to get an easy start of just have fun is to go play with other people instead of grinding solo. At low levels a joint trip to the goblins with someone higher will net you a lot of XP (like 70 or 80). Likewise if you go to the Horrors, Basilisks or Illithid at around level 7 or 8.

You'll not pull your weight much unless you're a heavy hitter but the company is fun. Wizards tend to be nice to have as support later on (after level 8 or 9) but before that they are very, very vulnerable and quick to run out of spells.

It's the same with low level people on the surface going to the Cloakwood with higher level parties.

Well, of course levels can be had easily enough with aid. The only question then is just how justifiable one wants to make it on roleplay grounds.

The tough thing in the Underdark setting is that Drow are not helpful as a rule. So, getting buffed up by high level characters and or being taken along with parties where the low level character is not held accountable for pulling their weight is completely contrary to lore.

Don't get me wrong, I do these things just like everyone else does, but it is certainly not authentic behavior in terms of the setting.

Ah, I see what you mean. I however was under the impression that the 7th Circle (of which I am striving to be a member) is founded on a completely opposite philosophy. That justifies, and even encurages cooperation

[Styxwash]

Ah, I see what you mean. I however was under the impression that the 7th Circle (of which I am striving to be a member) is founded on a completely opposite philosophy. That justifies, and even encurages cooperation

What Kenshin said still applies anyway though, the circle isn't supposed to represent a group of kind hearted adventurers who all respect each other and help the weakest with RP'ed hand outs, even though there may be OOC gear hand outs and some boosting here and there, the RP isn't to compare with lawfull/goodly surfacers and I do expect some power struggles and so forth. At any rate, the drow will usually always dominate and if your not a drow, most serious drow players will RP according to that and treat you like a lesser or at least with some distance.

Sshamath is a trading hotspot and it's all about free trade and free trade roads to Sshamath imo. and that's something every "citizen" should work together to maintain. The 7th Cirlce represents the elite nobles/politicians/merchants/wizards/warriors/spies of the city and therefore RP wise, your not likely to get much respect as a low level who's not initiated or doesn't cooperate with the organization. Obviously foot-soldiers are always welcome in such an organization, so recruiting efforts are important

[Aelcar]

Ah, I see what you mean. I however was under the impression that the 7th Circle (of which I am striving to be a member) is founded on a completely opposite philosophy. That justifies, and even encurages cooperation

What Kenshin said still applies anyway though, the circle isn't supposed to represent a group of kind hearted adventurers who all respect each other and help the weakest with RP'ed hand outs, even though there may be OOC gear hand outs and some boosting here and there, the RP isn't to compare with lawfull/goodly surfacers and I do expect some power struggles and so forth. At any rate, the drow will usually always dominate and if your not a drow, most serious drow players will RP according to that and treat you like a lesser or at least with some distance.

Sshamath is a trading hotspot and it's all about free trade and free trade roads to Sshamath imo. and that's something every "citizen" should work together to maintain. The 7th Cirlce represents the elite nobles/politicians/merchants/wizards/warriors/spies of the city and therefore RP wise, your not likely to get much respect as a low level who's not initiated or doesn't cooperate with the organization. Obviously foot-soldiers are always welcome in such an organization, so recruiting efforts are important

Absolutely, noone said anything about RP, lawful good or anything else. It was a matter of interaction, cooperation. I never stated the circumstances, I just said the people (not toons...people, OOC) were nice. Almost everyone RPed their character, as I did mine. By the way, I am a Drow Wizard in Sshamath ... who wouldnt want to interact with me?

[Kenshin]

Well, actually, I (and I assume most of the other Underdark regulars) have and am willing to continue to give aid to all players who wish to try the Underdark and require assistance to gain traction in the setting. I have tried to do this in character as much as possible but when that has proved impractical I have rendered aid regardless since, in the end, being a decent person is more important to me than being a great player.

That said, Styxwash is correct in saying that culturally there would be little help extended to those just starting out. Drow society is built upon ideals of social Darwinism and as such initiates would be expected to prove themselves through their own means and resources. This being a game and with most regulars desiring to provide a pleasant playing experience for newcomers to a part of the server that needs all the love it can get, I have no issue with seriously authentic RP being put off until after a player becomes comfortable with the environment and their character is fully established in the setting.

[Rasael]

Shouldn't we call S'shamath --> Myth S'shamath? Since it has a Mythal and everything?

Next thing we know we'll be calling Doron Amar --> Myth Amar
We really need to pay our surface 'cousins' a visit sometime

[Storm Munin]

Im starting to think the Underdark is doing fairly well at present actually.

This week ive gazed upon this happen on my screen:
1. A group consisting of 6 lowbie toons grinding together.
2. An Imaskari male being properly punished for insulting the Temple Mistress
3. Four demonblooded females, more or less scantily clad, dance to the tunes crafted by a drow bard.
4. 3 or more occasions of vicious plotting within guilds
5. The more or less effective healing of a troubled tiefling as performed by two priestessess of Eilistraee
6. A scolding, drow style (numerous occasions)
7. many many occasions of walking into 2 or 3 toons roleplaying without supervision of guilds nor DM:s.

Things are looking good in my book.

Thank you all for making it happen.