UD expansion?

[Blackhorizon]

The biggest problems is (as it is on similarly structured servers) that it is basically a split server between two worlds where you can't really enter the other one.

There is a limited number of areas a server can have without getting unstable. More areas would mean more servers.

That limited capacity is split between those two worlds, eating space from each other. One could argue that because world A has x number of players it should have more than world B which has y number of players. Even if it was an exact split between the worlds, they still take space from each other. It would be wonderful if we could have all the space in the world but it is not possible.

It would be nice to have some variety for UD surely. There are various other things that would be nice.

Just remember there will a limit. Whether or not it has been reached already is another matter.

[Cubicle]

Lolthite city completely in player hands
1-2 dedicated DMs

I actually agree with this, but either or, imo. If I wasn't a builder, I would apply to become a DM. The only reason I even became a builder was because of all the bugs/complaints I'd seen over the years down there. We all know there is a shortage of DM's in the UD, that's because most of the players that apply are surface oriented, which is completely understandable. If players in the UD see this issue, 1 or 2 could/should apply to become an UD dedicated DM. Imo, you'll have the power to RP whenever you want, about whatever you want.

Since big UD events are low in the UD, I believe we would benefit from allowing players to RP their way through the ranks and run Sshamath. That's just my opinion.

[ctothep]

Lolthite city completely in player hands
1-2 dedicated DMs

I actually agree with this, but either or, imo. If I wasn't a builder, I would apply to become a DM. The only reason I even became a builder was because of all the bugs/complaints I'd seen over the years down there. We all know there is a shortage of DM's in the UD, that's because most of the players that apply are surface oriented, which is completely understandable. If players in the UD see this issue, 1 or 2 could/should apply to become an UD dedicated DM. Imo, you'll have the power to RP whenever you want, about whatever you want.

Since big UD events are low in the UD, I believe we would benefit from allowing players to RP their way through the ranks and run Sshamath. That's just my opinion.

I know people who applied to DM for the UD but none of them were taken afaik

[Cubicle]

:L

Well, if any UD players reapply for DM, BCC me!

[TheLier]

I do see one problem though. A Lolithe city would be hard to keep PG-13 in my honest opinion. It could be done sure, but where most males are objectified and such, it will be walking a line.

I would love to see it, and I've been thinking about an UD toon for some time. But as I don't like grinding and such, the small community is a bit scary. It is a catch 22 really.

[Cretus]

The Underdark needs expansion, and more players. The line between PG-13, and beyond should be based on player consent, and I understand that things can get very mature quickly.

The truth of the matter is in my eyes is the lack of participation. The rampant grinding, and the lack of players at different times. People shouldn't forsake rp to gain a level. I brought Unen to the surface to see how different it was, and I am shocked by the detail, and massive zones. After playing in the underdark for almost 2 months. You can only take going around the UD for so long before you know where everything is, and know the caves like the back of your hand.

There needs to be more, and there needs to be a more active player base. Until then I am going to remain on the surface until RCR no longer becomes an option, and go back down. Things feel very stagnant right now.

Just my two cents.

[fearknight2003]

I think the UD has few players because Shaamath is weird. A lolthite city is the norm for UD cities, people make drow expecting a normal city with all drow and deep gnomes the enemy, and priestesses in charge and the houses constantly warring and all that. A normal Lolth city would be better, in my unasked for and unsolicited opinion.

Also: Drow should be able to run surface raids without DMs and all that. Bands of dark elf raiders do things like that; (SPOILER FOR LEGEND OF DRIZZT)

Hidden: show

Bregan Daerth took over an entire city.

[grymhild]

Also: Drow should be able to run surface raids without DMs and all that. Bands of dark elf raiders do things like that;

Some of us have been saying this for about two and half years.. (or longer)

:-/

[fearknight2003]

Also: Drow should be able to run surface raids without DMs and all that. Bands of dark elf raiders do things like that;

Some of us have been saying this for about two and half years.. (or longer)

:-/

I'm sorry for annoying you by restating these things, then. I haven't seen any of those threads where people said that in General Discussion or Community, so clearly it isn't often enough that you can be angry at someone saying it again.

[grymhild]

Also: Drow should be able to run surface raids without DMs and all that. Bands of dark elf raiders do things like that;

Some of us have been saying this for about two and half years.. (or longer)

:-/

I'm sorry for annoying you by restating these things, then. I haven't seen any of those threads where people said that in General Discussion or Community, so clearly it isn't often enough that you can be angry at someone saying it again.

oh, I'm not angry or upset with you at all!!!

you said what I'm thinking, I'm just frustrated with the ud/surface situation on the server

[grymhild]

I just looked, and it seems that some of the threads about this topic are now missing.

[Maecius]

Depending on how old said threads were, and where they were posted, it's possible they were auto-pruned last month when the old forums were approaching their size limits.

A very long time ago, back on Beta, we used to have semi-regular roving bands of surface drow -- but it caused pretty massive headaches for everyone except the drow (who did seem to have fun, even when losing, as they typically did whenever the surface epic heavies arrived). Ultimately it's a DM call as to whether these sorts of things will ever be supported again, and I suspect it will depend on how patient a given DM team is feeling, and on how many bottles of Tylenol they have on hand. It's almost never fun to be on as a DM when a drow party hits the surface.

Though the standard position for the last few years has been "drow RP should focus on the Underdark." Which is a good place to focus, but probably could use more DM attention to make that a realistic goal/legitimate advice. Unfortunately the DM we brought on board to focus in on the Underdark hasn't been around much in the last month, so I expect life's gotten pretty busy for him.

In my personal opinion, we could definitely use more DMs willing to focus on the Underdark. I'd encourage anyone interested in doing so to apply to be a DM! A lot of DMs are intimidated by the Lore requirements of the Underdark, so the best DMs for the Underdark tend to come from the players who play there.

[grymhild]

"If you build it, they will come."

[grymhild]

and what I mean by that, is building support for lore-based Underdark role-play.

do you know how many people have become less active or stopped playing in our UD, because of lack of active support for Lolthian, Vhaeraunite, Eilistraeen or Svirfneblin RP? ...I personally know quite a few.

the Eilistraeen guild for example, has about a dozen or so people that have expressed interest in lore-based Eili RP.... (and another half dozen who've gone inactive ) - but the thing is... Eilis don't belong in the UD - not for long anyway. and so people have gotten frustrated and played other things.

over the past two years of playing Ril and to a lesser extent Drathyrra, I've tried, I think I've tried pretty hard, both OOC and IC to try to create something good - but it's like ... ugh... I don't want to go into all of it right now, I'm too tired - but it's not been easy.

and it's not just Eilis that I'm interested in getting the RP going for.

I would LOVE to see support for the Lolthite and Vhaeraunite factions - and for the school's of magic too.

and there is some there, and thank the Dark Mother for that, but it's sporadic

maybe more variety of adventuring areas would bring more people, and maybe that would inspire more DMs to take an active role.

I dunno.

*sigh* maybe I'm just tired and cranky right now,

[Maximvs]

There is just too many stuff working against the UD to make it work.

13 years old server when the UD is supposed to be evil.
No slavery when the UD is supposed to be half of it.
All DM events ends up with good guys winning, so the UD will always lose.
Only lvl 30 toons can cross the very difficult zone between surface and UD.
Countless server rules preventing anything but quick pvp between UD and surface.
The player base mostly plays good.
Etc.

This server is like 100 times more enjoyable on the surface.