We need to change.

[Blackrose]

Has been a while I stopped playing, alot of work and study... argh. Anyway, the last time I checked the server, there was one Charnag Maelthra playing frequently.
The worst thing in the server about the underdark, is the sense of static, everything keeps in it's place, without nobody to change it. A guard keeps standing in front of the door, the Charnag still "walk in the streets" even not online, a stunning fear when speaking about the directors and Lords of the Mage Schools, it is good, or better, it was...

The last time I played it was that way, when I checked some mounths ago nothing had changed, and I also think that the next time I enter in the server it will be the same roleplaying.
I don't understand how we can act as caotic drows, because it is their nature, and live in a City with so many rules, looks like a City in the surface.
How the hell a school of necromancy can obey rules from others?
Can't understand in what stone is the Charnag foundations to still defend the surfacers that come to trade.

I remember people, some time ago, that tried to change it, putting some lothies in the city with alot of roleplaying, and trying to administrate a house in Sshamath, not speaking about names. After a long time I heard this person had some problems with the server administration and quit... unfortnally.

It is a critic I have about the scenario we play. The city of Sshamath is a Lawful place, in a scenario with no space to Caotics, no space to drows.
As a game master in tables, I know that good in Underdark is a crazy thing to do. If I want to be ruled, I would be playing in the surface, with lathander clerics or somehting alike.

[Molag__Bal]

The Charnag are no longer a PC faction, unfortunately. The only active group in the UD these days is the 7th Circle, which is probably not what you are looking for!

[Blackrose]

I am trying to be radical in my idea of caotic place to "equilibrate" the roleplay in Sshamath, we need a scenario (even in Underdark) where everyone can play, and every race aswell, and have fun, but we forgot the natural existance of drows.
The drows are xenophobic, selfish, killers, intolerants, and any other concept of evil you can find. In my past hours playing I saw something like ''adventurers together because their friends". It is the worst roleplaying in underdark I ever seen.

I read about Sshamath, it is a city much different from the others.
But what happens when rules try to negate it's own culture and natural way of the race?

As I said, I am trying to be an extremist drow (not necessary a Loth follower to do so).

I vote in a group that remarks the past drows in forgotten, the bad ones.

[Molag__Bal]

Well, I suppose you could try to lead by example. The surface currently has a similar problem with grey orcs socializing with elves and whatnot at the FAI campfire. They are even tolerated inside the FAI grounds with their ugly tattooed faces visible for all to gaze upon.

[Kenshin]

It is a critic I have about the scenario we play. The city of Sshamath is a Lawful place, in a scenario with no space to Caotics, no space to drows.

I understand the point you are making, though I think you misconstrue the meaning of what it is to be chaotic in this setting. In Drow society chaotic represents individualism far more than random behavior or being only subject to the law of the jungle. In fact, Drow society is quite hierarchical. Yes, there is competition for advancement but all of it takes place in an organized fashion. Even competition between noble houses has to adhere to rules, and if it does not and the transgression becomes known then the transgressors are punished. You cannot have a civilization without laws and rules, and Drow would not have survived as a race in a hostile setting without being an organized and cohesive people.

In fact, Sshamath is neutral tending towards evil. There is nothing to stop any player from being cruel, vicious, and unhelpful, as long as they do so without impeding others' ability to trade and go about their business. Slavery is an accepted practice and there are also parts of the city, such as the Darkwoods (a slum area) that, according to lore, are not patrolled and are therefore quite lawless.

In essence, much is left up to how players wish to roleplay. If you want to roleplay being a thoroughly unpleasant antisocial sort of a Drow, feel free. Only, keep in mind that this is a game people play for fun. While I agree that generosity and overt friendliness between characters goes against the ethos of Drow and the Underdark in general, it is not an easy place to start a new character. In other words, to attract players to the setting and then to keep them playing there allowances have to be made. Additionally, cooperative party play is one of the principal attractions of playing on a persistent world server, yet I suspect that such play would break down rather quickly if everyone was not being treated fairly. The desire for immersion and in-game realism has to be balanced against a recognition of the limitations of both the players and the game. Generally, the common denominator has to be set at a rather low level.

[Rasael]

Very well written

[Gruk]

The worst thing in the server about the underdark, is the sense of static, everything keeps in it's place, without nobody to change it. (...)

The last time I played it was that way, when I checked some mounths ago nothing had changed, and I also think that the next time I enter in the server it will be the same roleplaying.

You're right and i think it has nothing to do with the setting or how we RP.

From one side you have the staff trying to impliment a philosophy of '' RP it yourself '' , create you're own plots and dilemas, make you're own missions and play them out .

on the other side , theres a heavier rule book for Ud players then anyone else's and like Karond put it in general discussion its anything but clear , most rules are not black on white and or left for interpretation by the staff. It's like walking on egg shells anytime you try somthing new. Very litle room to breath.

So players dont do much , DMs dont do much, for their respective reasons and nothing changes, evolves or feels dynamic.

Recent sucess ( to me ) has been the 7th circle that has generated good RP and nice expeditions but after 2 months and a half since their only event , i find many of the officers have disapeared off the grid and most of the other recruits are anything but regulars mostly due to lack of interest ... RP between ourselves only gets so far specially with all the taboos concerning the surface and a system that leaves you vulnerable if you try to RP with a surfacer.

Also a sucess : all the new areas , wich are beautifull an enticing i might just reroll a lowbie one day to explore them at the CR they were meant for.

but still , the way is see it now; rolling in UD is at best a pet project , a side quest if you want. Somthing to play casually without expectations of changes and dynamic stories and for the fun of exploring down there and meeting strange faces that say ''Vendui weakling !''

But if you want dynamic setting that changes then best join a surface guild : 3 events in the 3 weeks since i joined one + a moovie being made ,+ a king being chosen , + a new class being developped, + a bridge being reconstructed and half a dozen other active topics in their guild forum. Ud guild cant even orginize a boss expedition unless its improvised on the spot whenever enough are around and feel like it and events scheduled or improvised are a rarity.

[reylas]

Well, I suppose you could try to lead by example. The surface currently has a similar problem with grey orcs socializing with elves and whatnot at the FAI campfire. They are even tolerated inside the FAI grounds with their ugly tattooed faces visible for all to gaze upon.

Sadly i Agree, it is also a by-product of the strict pvp rules we have. grey orcs should be kill on sight.

[Aelcar]

UD needs just a bit of time, I think. The thing is, down there you cannot go around with a low level character...you're gonna get killed. Therefore, if you want some freedom of movement and RP you need to be epic (and more than anyone else, Drow respect ONLY strength).

When I enter epic ( and we are close now, going for lvl 20 atm...) I will start some nice plots down there, and post on the forum for everyone to see and join if they wish. I already talked with surface leaders and DMs about it. Just keep playing, have patience and be around

Happy RPing!

[Rainbow Prism]

Go epic and then RP?

Do you folk never learn? Because of such thinking RP stagnated in the first place!

Before the party limit change the UD was crawling with hordes of zerglings who ignored any attempts of RP. From both player and even DM side! Is this the curse on the setting or what?!

[Molag__Bal]

Haven't seen you in the UD for around nine months now Ranbow. Do you still play?

[Rainbow Prism]

Not yet. If I were in, my posts would be more ferocious.

[Aelcar]

Go epic and then RP?

Do you folk never learn? Because of such thinking RP stagnated in the first place!

Before the party limit change the UD was crawling with hordes of zerglings who ignored any attempts of RP. From both player and even DM side! Is this the curse on the setting or what?!

After you gave out at Ganaka, I thought you learned to stay calm. Since you still use stuff like "you folks" and you patronize people, I can tell you I RP as well as anyone else, on this server or others. Get to know me before you speak.

On the post: I explicitly said in my post I have planned RP with the surface. The road is too hard to interact with the surface at lvl 1. That's the meaning of my post. Now, if you cut the crap and read, maybe, you can come out with good suggestions deriving from your long experience and competence...otherwise, go rant at someone else.

EDIT: Ganaka is the toon, cant remember if his account here is called the same way.

[Rainbow Prism]

UD needs just a bit of time, I think. The thing is, down there you cannot go around with a low level character...you're gonna get killed. Therefore, if you want some freedom of movement and RP you need to be epic (and more than anyone else, Drow respect ONLY strength).

When I enter epic ( and we are close now, going for lvl 20 atm...) I will start some nice plots down there, and post on the forum for everyone to see and join if they wish. I already talked with surface leaders and DMs about it. Just keep playing, have patience and be around

Happy RPing!

Is that italic thing is for RPing with humans and other surfacers superiority?

Underlined thing. Why exactly you need to be epic to start plot?

[Aelcar]

UD needs just a bit of time, I think. The thing is, down there you cannot go around with a low level character...you're gonna get killed. Therefore, if you want some freedom of movement and RP you need to be epic (and more than anyone else, Drow respect ONLY strength).

When I enter epic ( and we are close now, going for lvl 20 atm...) I will start some nice plots down there, and post on the forum for everyone to see and join if they wish. I already talked with surface leaders and DMs about it. Just keep playing, have patience and be around

Happy RPing!

Is that italic thing is for RPing with humans and other surfacers superiority?

Underlined thing. Why exactly you need to be epic to start plot?

You have reading comprehension problems mate. If I talk about plots I discussed with surface leaders, what is it you do not get? I cannot foresee it at this stage, but chances are (99%) that I need to be able to get up and down freely with those that are willing to take part in it. Now, if you are lvl 3, you cannot do that. Besides, what makes you think I do NOT RP, or I did not so far? I was talking about a particularly interesting idea involving the surface, and therefore requiring epic levels. It sounds clear to me, and should to you