Were did our UnderDark Dms go?

[TheVoid]

http://bgtscc.net/viewtopic.php?f=25&t= ... 39#p132039

Please see my reply, I agree that player initiative is lacking. You don't have to be even IG in the UD, the amount of "stuff" you guys post on the forum could easily be channelled into writing a biography, plot-line, story arch for the UD and your characters in the UD for the DM staff to work with.

No more spoonfeeding....

[Molag__Bal]

The UD has remained virtually unchanged since I joined the server 13 months ago. In the same time period I watched four large high level areas get added to the already massive surface (Nashkel Mines, Serpent Hills, Greypeaks, Amn Descent). This was one of the main reasons that epic Drow spent all of their time on the surface. With the portal closed, there are no epic UD areas even remotely comparable to the surface.

As far as DM love goes, I saw a handful of events run by Pookie, Flasmix and Tahlisar. Flasmix left around when the portal closed, and from what I have seen both Pookie and Tahlisar spend most of their time running surface events. Ansient helped out a lot when he started DMing, but with him missing lately all is quiet again. On the contrary, the surface has quite a few dedicated DM's that run events on a regular basis.

To conclude, the UD is underdeveloped, lacks epic content and has very little DM love. I am not at all surprised that people say screw it, and go play on the surface. That's what I did.

[TheVoid]

So taking the path of least resistance is the what the majority of you prefer? Then I really don't see a reason why we should keep the UD at all.

If no one wants to contribute to the storyline or any kind of creative writing then I really don't see the reason why we should be putting more content in the that setting or even giving more DM attention. Again, I have not seen one request, an outline, plot, or story/bio from anyone except for one player. That tells us something, it tells us that players down there really don't want to make the effort to make things happen.

Groups like the Radiant Heart, White Mask, even the Freaking GNOMES! Yes you are gettin out done by a faction of GNOMES! Put more effort to making their own direction and creating some basic content for the DM staff to work with.

[Molag__Bal]

Well, I suppose that since closing the portal and adding a dedicated DM or two didn't work, there are really only two alternatives.

1) Improve the UD significantly and see if that has any effect.
2) Blame everything on the UD players and use that as an excuse to stop giving it any attention, or remove it completely from the server.

I got the impression that Manny was working on 1), and he even said I'd have to eat my words regarding how long it would take to complete!

Out of curiosity, do you play in the UD Void?

[catcher]

To conclude, the UD is underdeveloped, lacks epic content and has very little DM love. I am not at all surprised that people say screw it, and go play on the surface. That's what I did.

I'm sure that most UD players have the same mentality. Once Ansient and Rhicora vanished, I decided to no longer play in the Underdark - there was simply nothing there to do.

[Zkenic]

If you want a more detailed request or outline for UD plots Id be glad to type up something to a DM that's willing to come down here, but most of Dhaunins work I keep off the forums due to meta-gaming purposes or fizzle out because the DM I was working with got busy or bored (still miss you Rhicora + you should come back ). After little events and for interactions I do type up things on the BD private forums at the very least, and of course sometimes I do type up a rumor or poke someone to type up a rumor every once and a while.

Playing a high lvl character that sits around a lot and watching people run by you do see a lot of lowbies going to hunt beetles or even slaves, but you hardly see people reach past that. Like a wall too high to climb over, most attempt and scrabble for a bito nly to give up, leaving the toughest and most determined getting past the first hump, and that is ignoring what happens when you get past lvl 20. People often coming and going makes it hard to get a good arc to stick. Speaking of which, I need to find a certain Eilistraee priestess before she also gives up on the UD... slinks off

Also on a side note I dont like bugging DMs about plot lines. Maybe this passiveness is a bad thing, but from what Ive seen DMs are always busy and I feel selfish attempting to demand attention from their already busy schedules. Once one turns its focus I always am willing to type up lots and put in effort, I just dont like to initiate such things. Not unless you are Maecius of course.

[Rainbow Prism]

Still...

It is pretty hard to RP evil races, so challenge is pretty huge. And some people hate gnomes.
And yeah, lv range is humongous. I would help, but I simply have no RP reason. I am Eilistraeean, not priest of Ilmater.

[Brightstar]

In the long run these things move in cycles, and you people come and go. Right now is the end of summer and things will likely change soon as the fall gets going. The ups and downs will be affected by those who are regular moreso than those players who are transient.

Since creating my character in the UD I've seen several plot lines and varies side plots take place and with the recent diminishing House of Mori'yhanda some of the conflicts that were present in the UD have likewise diminished.

As for myself, I have a solid character plot-line that I have been personally RPing for the many months it has taken me to reach epic levels. I have even on a few occasions had some DM assistance to forward that plot. But as it presently stand RL is affecting and will continue to affect my ability to play and this is why my playtime is currently at a minimum.

As an epic UD character I have virtually mastered all aspects of the UD monsters, and I have often supported players who have just started in the UD to help them familiarize and get their feet wet. While I fully expect many of them to move on and give up the dark side for the ease of the light, I know that as new content is added others will come down to investigate the dark, but how long this will take depends on the efforts of the few.

Building a world is a project of sacrifice and love, whether it be from individual maps, to story-lines, to the delicate balance that keeps all things and players in check. Bringing down fire on that altar only creates a blackened corpse, and is at the very least a slap in the face to those who give up many things to create a special place.

'If you build it, we will come,' is the DM motto, and building generally requires a collaborative effort by more than a committee of one. In order to bring the DMs there is going to have to be interaction in the UD to make it worth the time of the DMs, provided they are up to the task. Abandoning ship will only bring the inevitable sinking, but I sympathize with players who feel left out. Since my character has a strong solitary path, loneliness is expected, but that doesn't stop me from RPing the character as should be, around others.

If you are waiting for DMs to step into the UD, you may have a long wait. Play your character, create motives, and bring others into the group, then see what comes of it. Besides, if you really need a DM to run an event then maybe you aren't ambitious enough for the UD.

[Eviloth]

Hi all,

This post is something I am dreading to write because I have alot of emotion behind it, however I will be very tactful and non offensive. I have been playing here I think since April or so. It seems like alot more time as I have interacted heavily with many of you that have UD pc's and I have had a great deal of RP fun. Probably the best I have ever had in NWN2. That is always good to hear that we have a great group of players that do rp well. Now with the good comes the bad : (

I honestly am getting bored of being one of the few ones down in the UD for hours at a time. I don't want to play on the surface unless it is for a very temporary time. So my choice is the UD. When I started the UD had some major crash issues. Crashmath, remember? However that isn't a problem any longer.

I don't have a problem with how dark it is, that is fine for me but for others it is a pain in the butt. I get it. But I think the buildings look awesome along with the highly detailed areas Manny and others have made. But my point in writing this post is very simple. If the DM(s) do/don't come down to the UD that is not my problem....my problem is being the only one down there. I started up a Drow House, Qu'ellar Sshamath. We started strong, I have spent over 60+ hours designing the inside of it and was going to present it to development. However, now I am not! Why should I? None one of them plays there pc's. Extremely frustrating for me. However I can say I have learned alot in mapping it, so not all was lost. Thanks to Luna/Manny for always being cool when I have a question on something.

If people don't start playing their UD pc's more. I will state it right here in this thread I will find a new hobby to spend my time on. For those of you that I have built good relationships with, I hope you bring your ud pc's back to life. I will give this a week to change. I kinda feel like I am this last bastion of hope for the UD to even be recognized, having my pc run around or just afk for hours is not what I call enjoyable for me at all. So let's flatter the DM(s), bring your pc's back down and see if they follow. Because I am not going to do this anymore. One more week is all I can stand of this ghost town. I hope you all can understand where I am coming from and come back.

[Rainbow Prism]

Hi. I understand how you feel. I am very sorry about the House. I simply do not feel like playing the priestess I created. I grow tired of creating women PC. I also play UD with my PC, but in different way. I will try to help those in need and fight villainy at hand. Some can call it Drizzt-rippoff, but it is different. Maybe you think that good is unacceptable in the city of drow. Maybe you will think that drow are evil that must be purged. I do not care. Eilistraee is my favorite goddess, and I will continue playing Eowiewiel E'lenor. Even if she will go to 30 lv and I will have nothing else to do. That is my RP. Light will prevail in the darkness of the cave. Over.

[Eviloth]

Hi. I understand how you feel. I am very sorry about the House. I simply do not feel like playing the priestess I created. I grow tired of creating women PC. I also play UD with my PC, but in different way. I will try to help those in need and fight villainy at hand. Some can call it Drizzt-rippoff, but it is different. Maybe you think that good is unacceptable in the city of drow. Maybe you will think that drow are evil that must be purged. I do not care. Eilistraee is my favorite goddess, and I will continue playing Eowiewiel E'lenor. Even if she will go to 30 lv and I will have nothing else to do. That is my RP. Light will prevail in the darkness of the cave. Over.

Rainbow, me and you have already talked about your Loltholite pc. I am fine with it. I am not pointing the finger about her. And honestly if people don't want to play there pc's in a guild that is fine. I should clarify, let's not have this thread turn into me crying and feeling sorry for myself. The goal is to bring traffic down to the UD in good quality rp. You can play your pc drow anyway you want too.

[Rainbow Prism]

The conversation about dM should be closed. Nothing else to say. All things were told. See ya. Happy playing.

[Molag__Bal]

If people don't start playing their UD pc's more. I will state it right here in this thread I will find a new hobby to spend my time on. For those of you that I have built good relationships with, I hope you bring your ud pc's back to life. I will give this a week to change. I kinda feel like I am this last bastion of hope for the UD to even be recognized, having my pc run around or just afk for hours is not what I call enjoyable for me at all. So let's flatter the DM(s), bring your pc's back down and see if they follow. Because I am not going to do this anymore. One more week is all I can stand of this ghost town. I hope you all can understand where I am coming from and come back.

If you have not yet played on the surface, I suggest that you give it a try. Might be that what you need is a break from the UD, so that in a few weeks you will be motivated to play down there again. A lot of UD players have surface characters, because as you say, when it's a ghost town down there it is no fun at all.

[TheVoid]

Well, I suppose that since closing the portal and adding a dedicated DM or two didn't work, there are really only two alternatives.

1) Improve the UD significantly and see if that has any effect.
2) Blame everything on the UD players and use that as an excuse to stop giving it any attention, or remove it completely from the server.

I got the impression that Manny was working on 1), and he even said I'd have to eat my words regarding how long it would take to complete!

Out of curiosity, do you play in the UD Void?

We are not blaming the playerbase, but it feels like the players seem to believe that blaming the absent DMs is the reason for their own hiatus. We are just noticing a lot of whining and no creativity or motivation in engaging the DM staff with your ideas. If a DM has to create an environment in a PW for players to play it, it is not sustainable, period. I've seen it happen over and over again in other PW's besides this. DM's get bored too, dedicating a DM to ONE group or faction of players is a death sentence for a DM.

Of course I play the UD as well, I have characters in both surface and UD that I switch back and forth on. I had my UD character for nearly 1 1/2 years, but they have not leveled past 14 since I don't grind all that much.

'If you build it, we will come,' is the DM motto, and building generally requires a collaborative effort by more than a committee of one. In order to bring the DMs there is going to have to be interaction in the UD to make it worth the time of the DMs, provided they are up to the task. Abandoning ship will only bring the inevitable sinking, but I sympathize with players who feel left out. Since my character has a strong solitary path, loneliness is expected, but that doesn't stop me from RPing the character as should be, around others.

If you are waiting for DMs to step into the UD, you may have a long wait. Play your character, create motives, and bring others into the group, then see what comes of it. Besides, if you really need a DM to run an event then maybe you aren't ambitious enough for the UD.

QFT

[nlyh]

Playing a high lvl character that sits around a lot and watching people run by you do see a lot of lowbies going to hunt beetles or even slaves, but you hardly see people reach past that. Like a wall too high to climb over, most attempt and scrabble for a bito nly to give up, leaving the toughest and most determined getting past the first hump, and that is ignoring what happens when you get past lvl 20. People often coming and going makes it hard to get a good arc to stick.

That was basically what my point was in the other thread as well. The first hurdle is just that high to jump over.