Suggestion: Announce events via shout by default.

[V'rass]

Unfortunately many events take place where i and others cant join because we either dont know they are taking place or where to go to join. I and some others live for events and we miss well over half of them as we only find out they are taking place after everyone has left. If all events were announced over shout like the big ones people who are interested will know and be able to take part rather then sitting at the campfire bored and depressed. Groups wont form if they dont know something is happening... at least give us a hint when something is going down.

[Tsidkenu]

I must respectfully disagree with the need for it to be the default. Some events are exclusive to those who are actually involved in its plot, discreet or otherwise. I can't imagine a DM ever sending out a public shout to the effect "Thieves from the guild have broken into Halbazzer Drin's shop," for example, while running an event for the Thieves Guild. If players happened to stumble upon it at the time, good for them. Larger or more obvious events, like the army attacks of yesteryear, can and should be advertised publicly.

It should be up to the individual DM to decide whether their event warrants a public notice, the same as it has always been.

[ValerieJean]

I must respectfully disagree with the need for it to be the default. Some events are exclusive to those who are actually involved in its plot, discreet or otherwise. I can't imagine a DM ever sending out a public shout to the effect "Thieves from the guild have broken into Halbazzer Drin's shop," for example, while running an event for the Thieves Guild. If players happened to stumble upon it at the time, good for them. Larger or more obvious events, like the army attacks of yesteryear, can and should be advertised publicly.

It should be up to the individual DM to decide whether their event warrants a public notice, the same as it has always been.

Agreed, people cannot expect to know about everything when they are cities away. It just does not make any sense as unfortunate as it is to miss out on the event. I am of the group who misses out on events quite often but usually it's because I am working, or have to get too it soon.

A suggestion, perhaps if there are a good amount of people in the general vicinity where the incident is occurring but putting it to a shout would be too much. Perhaps a script could be made that would allow the DMs to get the attention of those in that specified area. I.E. Baldur's Gate: Palace District or Friendly Arm Inn, etc. Where it's just that map. Might be possible? Unfortunately I've only just begun tinkering with coding so I do not know off the top of my head if it is possible.

For all I know this is already implemented!

[Ariella]

I agree for every event is to much. Also its not very IC to run across the sever hunting events and a large number of players is often unwanted for lag and practicality.

[metaquad4]

Agreed. Maybe for large armies or hoarde events. But, small events are small for a reason. Its harder for players to RP with large amounts of people, and its a hastle for DMs to manage everything (without resorting to the railroad+hoard mode wombo combo).

Keep small events small, and let large events be open to everyone (when it fits the RP surrounding the event, of course. If people from across the land wouldn't know about it ICly, don't let them know over the shout chat.).

That being said, a record of public events (with the nessecary fourm posts attached) that are scheduled to happen would be useful as a way to steamline the information process. Tournaments, Theater Stuff, Candlekeep Storytelling, Public Metaplot Portions, Guild Events that happen to be open to the public, etc. A calender with the scheduled time for these kinds of "mass" public events, along with any related fourm post material, would be very handy.

[Shad]

I've seen particularly interesting events announced publicly and openly limited to N first to join.
And some groups that may form that way could be quite streaky, and that could give fresh flavor to RP.

Its up to players themselves to maintain their PCs reasons or availability to join. Or in worst cases, up to DM to hint them.

[Lockonnow]

or it is not us to join couse of the level

[trogers2]

I have to disagree as well, the beauty of an event (in my view) is the randomness and the best events come with the players not suspecting a thing at all.