Underdark General Discussion Thread

[Passiflora]

You guys continue this discussion in PMs or I'm locking it.

[Storm Munin]

@Rainbow Prism
Forgot/changed a few things there eh?
But no matter.

Thank you for the roleplay today by the way.


Like Passiflora said lets move on.

This thread is better served by posts improving the underdark in some manner.
Personally I dont think the current catfight lead down that path.

So...


The Seventh Circle is currently active and I see proof of life from Bregan D'Aerthe and a stirring within the temple occasionally, along with endless hours of more or less lonely fresh toons.

What do we as a collective want to do about the latter?
I try to meet and greet the new ones as they appear but refuse to spend countless hours getting bored, tipsy and coinless in the Gloura's establishment.
It is called having a life I am told.

Weekly roleplaying drives on some weekend day?

Here PMs might actually improve the discussion for all the obvious reasons.

[Xanfyrst]

This thread is better served by posts improving the underdark in some manner.

Submit to Zhentarim superiority.

Well, many of you already know my stance on the UD. I think it should've never been added as it just divides resources between two different worlds. But since it's been 5 years or so since the server went live, it's pointless to do so. (unless all UD players decided to stop at the same time, then I'd say get rid of it. )

What could be done better? I think as one who hasn't used more than 1 hour with an UD character, I may provide with some insight.

- The city and its surroundings are confusing to navigate through compared to BG, which saw some major changes over the years. It's easier to get to the low level content on the surface than in the UD.

- It's a rough ride until a certain level, from what I've heard. Maybe the proposal of removing the death penalty from 0-3 will help people getting started. Also, changing the CR of the monsters may be in order. Maybe that's a bit much to ask for right now as it'll take resources away from other more pressing matters. (and sorry, I don't consider UD such.)

- Immersion-breakers. Those blasted Drizzt-clones and cheerful and chatty duegars. Considering the setting, it just feels worse down there than on the surface from what I both hear and have experienced. (I've had plenty of interaction with drow over the years, which I'm basing this on)

---

I've begun the rekindling of UD-Zhentarim relationship, so I hope this will lead to some "action" for you guys. Well, those of you who are involved with certain factions down there. If there's other things related to this topic, you think I and my Zhentarim can help you with, just send a PM and we'll see what can be done. The Ud is important to Darkhold after all.

[DM Sentinel]

During my scan, I found out something.


Unlike surface, there is no gathered Lore of Chronology. It does not exist until mention of Lolth's Avatar.


Unacceptable.


It makes Underdark look weak in comparison to surface, where a lot of contributed to surrounding lands description, local legends and stories, be it staff's threads or some player's insights.

[illithid]

The Gloura's Wings forum has often been neglected comparatively, but more so through RPing private matters through private channels rather than an absence of RP, status updates aren't really ilythiirra

[DM Sentinel]

That is part of equation. But not entirely.

However, I heard of commotion back in Mori'hyanda days.

Massive battle in Varalla's passage with resulting Conclave taking action against the House that went to far.

Nothing exists that says anything about that, other than private forum information.

In essence, I see that Lore management of Underdark is weak.

[Servin]

This thread is better served by posts improving the underdark in some manner.
Personally I dont think the current catfight lead down that path.

That would be so, because it is a thread to whine about how rubbish or not rubbish the UD is. There are many people talking about doing stuff, but not many doing stuff that's being said. It is so either because they get discouraged after some time of doing stuff individually crashing over some grinders in the UD, or get shot down by the staff. And it's not the first thread about UD improvements that doesn't get actioned.

Rasael did some awesome content for the UD, but it's not in yet and it starts falling under the 'said stuff category', despite it being complete (not sure if tested). Sentinel says stuff about lore, but there is no show of hands as to who should/would like to sit down and fix it, himself inclusive.

We can talk improvements till we turn blue peeps, but it will be as much worth as having a catfight with Rainbow Rick here - no effect at all. Unless the staff starts supporting players in their attempts and not shoot their ideas down, this will remain what it is now.

A whine thread.

Less chiefs and more Indians!

[Empoweredfan]

Storm is putting together an RP event, that could lead to Zhentarim contact again, so something is in the works. An event for the roleplay, and not for rewards, like it should be.

[Servin]

Great! Any DM would like to support that?

[kleomenes]

I've wondered whether, given the fact it seems many players have UD characters but often don't play them due to low presence of players down below, would some "prearranged" play be useful?

- either sharing of play times to form OOC "play groups" or
- the nomination of an "underdark afternoon/evening" each week where those with UD characters agree to log them in if able.

It would perhaps kick start some RP outside of these periods, and give an anchor to such play

[Empoweredfan]

That suggestion actually sounds like a really good idea, and hopefully, people will want to turn up for it. It would probably help if some sort of event could be arranged (not necessarily the fighting kind, but something that can gather people. . . like a public execution or NPC arena fights for the player's amusement). Something that can gather people for a night of fun discussion and gambling.

And we are getting DM Boo and DMogorgon . . . DMorogonon. . . DMogromon. . . the one with the DM and plenty of o's. Just wanted to show that there are things happening down under. =)

[Hoihe]

Also, maybe UD players could put in:

"UD Character available"

in their player scry when playing on Surface because of lack of people down there.

Once people see a bunch of these, they could switch to the UD characters and RP away.

[DM Novus]

If it matters to any of you, recently I made a request to the entire DM Staff to each put 10-20% of their DM time towards the Underdark and the Players active down there. It was a well-received request by the majority of the Staff. Let me know if you see any changes in the activity, and if not anything better in the next weeks, I'll reassess what the DM Staff can do.

So, for this to snowball into an avalanche of Underdark goodness, it requires:

a) DMs to find Players in the Underdark and start working with them on small to large storylines.
b) for there to be Players active in the Underdark for DMs to find and to start working with them.

Basically, Underdark Players need to understand that the majority of DMs—and Players for that matter—are not well-versed in Underdark Lore. That requires a bit of education, a bit of patience, and a bit of leeway on the side of all.

Help us help you, is a good motto. For both sides of the Client.

[Servin]

What Novus said wrt to staff. That and a 'can do' attitude.

Take example of DM's such as Strahd, Absolution or Wretch! The UD loved them for their positive and helpful attitudes!

P.S. Is Arkanis shy to come down there more often than when called upon?

[Empoweredfan]

Basically, Underdark Players need to understand that the majority of DMs—and Players for that matter—are not well-versed in Underdark Lore. That requires a bit of education, a bit of patience, and a bit of leeway on the side of all.

Help us help you, is a good motto. For both sides of the Client.

I don't think Lore is all that important, and I think you will find that the majority of players (that are on these days) regard lore as a setting, not the plot itself.

As it is, my character have said that she grew up in a place that isn't as of yet in server timeline, available to her. So, I've modified her backstory, and those that knows it have been informed. There is nothing so strict that it can't be changed.

What is important (probably) is the war that was fought last year. The rise of temple importance, but that seems to have become normalized as of late. The Conclave rules the city, and they are mainly mages. Other than that, there is little a few questions won't tell you. And we just love to talk down there. =)