Campfires vs Taverns

[chad878262]

The problem (IMO) with upping the RP XP gain is epics. Those grind spots like Reaching Woods and Wromthrax / naga cave offer less XP per kill then other prime spots simply because you are epic when you get there. Epic kills give ~35 XP on the high end vs 50+ in pre-epics. Thus if RP XP were increased in Inns much more than it already is, then the 'best' way to level in epics would become to sit around chatting over a mug of ale. High calories and carbs while sitting on your kiester is not a way to improve your combat capabilities last I checked...Instead of a six pack of abs, you'll end up with a keg.

[CleverUsername123]

(deleted)

[Calodan]

The problem (IMO) with upping the RP XP gain is epics. Those grind spots like Reaching Woods and Wromthrax / naga cave offer less XP per kill then other prime spots simply because you are epic when you get there. Epic kills give ~35 XP on the high end vs 50+ in pre-epics. Thus if RP XP were increased in Inns much more than it already is, then the 'best' way to level in epics would become to sit around chatting over a mug of ale. High calories and carbs while sitting on your kiester is not a way to improve your combat capabilities last I checked...Instead of a six pack of abs, you'll end up with a keg.

If we are being honest? The best way to level in epics is the quests coupled with RP XP and the occasional loop run of proper CR dungeons with groups when you can.

There is also something I have been kicking around quite a bit more as of late too. At what point are we putting entirely to many physics of our world upon a world that is magical and a place that does not follow the same physical laws at all to our world?

Is it really that much of an issue to let people level how they want for the most part? I mean seriously. The RP XP caps and consistency has not one bit made it so PCs do not get 80% of their levels by pure RP XP and the occasional fishing trip.

[Maecius]

I'll raise this idea with the DMs and developers, and we'll discuss it.

In most roleplay servers I've seen over the years, spawn points do become roleplay hubs. We've avoided (for better or worse) the "one location hub" that many servers have (where that main spawn point is where people naturally, or in some cases unnaturally, congregate) by allowing for a great many spawn points, but interiors are still mostly used as places to hold pre-arranged meetings -- not places to organically meet others.

Again, whether that's a good thing or a bad thing is going to be a matter of opinion, but we'll discuss it to see where the design opinion is located. And if people feel strongly one way or another, feel free to note it here and we'll absolutely take those opinions into account in the discussion.

[Vogar Eol]

I feel a push to shift the social areas into interiors will lead to much more organic traditional events for the DM team.

Currently, a DM would have to send out a shout or post a forum topic about "A Stranger has been seen ordering beer and asking to hire adventurers at X Tavern/Inn"... only to be swarmed by two or three dozen player characters. All of whom haven't wandered into a tavern in months.

If taverns were social areas, a DM can simple walk in with a quest giver. They can also directly RP with the player characters, such as letting a rumor slip after too many rounds of beer. It makes it much more organic than spitting out a rumor on the forum.

If people want to talk about roleplay XP instead of benefits/negatives of spawn points in interiors... I'll make a second topic for that to keep the conversations flowing.

[Asmodea]

I personally think a good and simple first step at least would be moving and placing 'Home' spawns into Inns perhaps with an eye to do something like eventually offer a small 'Faction' bonus to people who have their home spawn set to a specific location? I know the DM team keeps tossing around the idea of Faction standing and ICly living somewhere would undoubtedly increase standing a little bit as a reward for using RP sensible Home Location.

I have no idea how to insensitivize people actually using the Home (And thus indoor) Location spawns but it is something I know I would find myself doing myself, a more immersive entrance into the world would be nice and encourage people waiting for each other in Taverns at least. People seeking RP could spawn upstairs in the FAI for example and walk passed the bar to see if anyone is idling in the bar before continuing on to adventure time, people who just want to run off and kill things can spawn outside still. Could always try something as simple as making 'Home' locations also storage locations for people who stay there? As a minor bonus?

[aaron22]

tying storage and like a placables area would be a really good incentive to housing. but i am not sure how effective it would be at creating a gathering spot.

[Steve]

Maybe impossible to script, but at Creation or Log In (maybe a NPC could set this in the Nexus), a PC could choose their "home city," much like Dwarves are automatically given the option from Mystra/Shaundakul to spawn at Kraak Helzak.

Thus, your PC could choose BG/Soubar/Candlekeep/Beregost/Darkhold etc., and until you change it with the NPC, your Toon is always given that spawn option, coming out of the Nexus.

AND...wait for it...that spawn point IS IN AN INN!!! Elfsong/Winding Way/Orc Hut/Candlekeep whatchamacallit.

[Snarfy]

Once upon a time, there used to be A LOT of RP occurring in taverns/inns. Nowadays... umm, I believe only the FAI interior ever sees visitors. Every other inn is pretty much NPC's only, which always bums me out when I wander into one.

It's difficult to come up with a legitimate idea to incentivize their use... so, I'm just going to offer a shallow one: If the devs can make the hideous looking female proprietor of the Elfsong look like she does in this video(at 4:16)...



... I will totally spend more time there.

[aaron22]

Maybe impossible to script, but at Creation or Log In (maybe a NPC could set this in the Nexus), a PC could choose their "home city," much like Dwarves are automatically given the option from Mystra/Shaundakul to spawn at Kraak Helzak.

Thus, your PC could choose BG/Soubar/Candlekeep/Beregost/Darkhold etc., and until you change it with the NPC, your Toon is always given that spawn option, coming out of the Nexus.

AND...wait for it...that spawn point IS IN AN INN!!! Elfsong/Winding Way/Orc Hut/Candlekeep whatchamacallit.

i really doubt that would supplement the FAI as a gathering place. goody/nuety players will still just zone to FAI.

and that barmaid is HOT!!

[Steve]

i really doubt that would supplement the FAI as a gathering place. goody/nuety players will still just zone to FAI.

Easy solution: FAI cannot be a Home City Location.

[Snarfy]

Easy solution: FAI cannot be a Home City Location.

Easier solution: HOT BARTENDERS!

(It's a genius idea, don't deny it #shallowandproud)

[Vogar Eol]

Don't bribe. Force.

People use to always use Maltz because he was where you needed to go.

Now we have a spawn point, item storage, cheap identify, free rest zone, and a fire with tons of benches in the Farmlands. People even setup placeable stalls there to buy gems and extort new players by selling them overpriced gear.

Move the spawn point to an Inn. Put item storage ONLY on Innkeepers and not on practically every vender. Throw the Auctioneer in the Inns.... players will go.

Give them 100 reasons not to and they won't go. Too many options leads to Overchoice Heuristic, and people will do what's simplest... what they've always done.

[Lockonnow]

Snarfy many tavens do not have a they own atmosphere

[Snarfy]

Snarfy many tavens do not have a they own atmosphere

Sure they do, Lockie. The Blushing Mermaid comes to mind, and that tavern in Ulgoths is great too... but atmosphere isn't what I'm talking about.

The real issue here is: would you rather visit an Elfsong tavern with this Alyth Elendara... ?


(Is that even a woman? Yeesh!)

... or this one?



Yeah... thought so ...... ok, I'm done.

But, seriously... I definitely like the idea of spawning in Inns more than I do by the side of the damn road. And that's all I have to say about that.