Developing the Underdark

[Blackman D]

would love to be able to actually use my kinslayer...

what kinslayer lets an elf get away

[tooley1chris]

I have recently applied to be a minor DM and would love to DM the UD. Been playing on the surface for years and only recently delved again into the depths. There is so much potential to get more players off of the surface and into the dark places. One of the reasons I came to UD is because each event I did on the surface ususally envolved 20+people and I LOVE to RP but its not easy when so many people are jumping in. Sadly I have seen NO DM interaction down below though their are players running in circles doing the same things over and over. I've met a few really good RP players down stairs and appreciate them immensly but DM involvement would definately add the missing spice. Again, if the powers that be would like a new DM for UD, I'm available. Don't have too much nwn2 DM experience but did a bit of private hosting and DMd PnP for about 20 yrs...

[Gruk]

According to Forgotten Realms lore the Drow are known for their raids on the surface, both large and small. Why not create, or utilize a small number of surface areas as free PvP zones where any number of surfacers or Drow can enter with the knowledge that entry means immediate consent to PvP. Just one or two such "grey" zones could provide an interesting existential element to the server without turning it into a PvP free for all. For those not interested in such survival of the fittest, player versus player fighting, they merely need to heed the warning signs and avoid the grey zones, and for those willing to step into the breach, as it were, all is fair once you enter. Could such a thing fly on this server I wonder?

i like that

[nwnolan]

According to Forgotten Realms lore the Drow are known for their raids on the surface, both large and small. Why not create, or utilize a small number of surface areas as free PvP zones where any number of surfacers or Drow can enter with the knowledge that entry means immediate consent to PvP. Just one or two such "grey" zones could provide an interesting existential element to the server without turning it into a PvP free for all. For those not interested in such survival of the fittest, player versus player fighting, they merely need to heed the warning signs and avoid the grey zones, and for those willing to step into the breach, as it were, all is fair once you enter. Could such a thing fly on this server I wonder?

i like that

We could just turn Durlag's Tower and the area outside of it into this setting.
This would also mean an area just before Durlag's Tower would have need to have this be done. Arn't those Fire Caves right before Durlag's bottom layer? We could do it for that area as well and just put OOC signs at the AT to outside of Durlag's that say

If entering then you have consented to PvP with any UD race that is within this area and all of Durlag's Tower within. If you are exiting and are a UDer then realize that you cannot kill whomever you wish past this point.

Then just put a similiar sign after the area below Durlag's.

[Eldebryn]

The thing is that most surfacers who wander in these areas are pretty high level. Drow would never pick such a spot for their Blooding rituals or hunting.

In fact, drow are known to use wolf pack tactics: They travel in groups, scouting the target area carefully until they find a weak individual or small group, preferably one they either outnumber or simply outpower(as in 5-10 mid-high level drow attacking a small village of low level characters). Elves of course are always high in the list of targets.

I have the impression that hunting powerful PCs is a little odd for drow raid groups, unless they have good reason to do so, like revenge or to demonstrate superiority by vanquishing such a foe.

[Rasael]

Ransom them to Candlekeep or Doron Amar in return for arcane relics... relics they probably stole before the descent too.

[Melisende]

The point, Eldebryn, would not be complete authenticity, but rather a purpose (or aim if you wish) for Drow to travel to the surface. Currently, there are simply too many impediments to a Drow surface presence and the burden of justifying travel beyond Durlag's Tower falls too heavily on players with Drow characters. My hope is that such zones could provide an outlet without requiring staff presence or involvement.

I would not recommend making Durlag's Tower and it's immediate environs a free PvP zone (since I believe that Durlag's should remain a normal adventuring area). The caverns below it are a different matter however and certainly making them free PvP zones seems reasonable to me.

However, my original concept was centered on the use of one or two additional areas with transitions from near Durlag's Tower. From a conversation I had with Broham, it seems that a number of generic campaign areas (including one with a caravan) already exist. I was hoping that such could be modified (or expanded) and deployed as free PvP zones.

As an alternative a quest could be added in a surface area accessible ONLY from the Underdark to carry out a successful raid on a caravan. What would be needed for this is a quest giver near Sshamath and a surface area with a guarded caravan with a specific item to be obtained from it.

[Eldebryn]

Point 1) What makes you think a single surfacer would willfully walk into a free PvP area that drow may visit any moment, at least one who is not confident of his build's high pvp effectiveness?

Point 2) Right now, travelling to surface takes epic level party, and that alone takes out all of the joy a "Blooding" type quest may have. This is a ritual that has little meaning for an experienced drow IMO.

Point 3) Perhaps when/if teleportation makes travelling easier that would be an option.

Point 4) Shouldn't we focus on things that will make UD more enjoyable for everyone down there and not only evil-aligned drow PCs who are probably less than 30-40% of the UD population instead?


Just saying, I am not against this idea, I just see to many obstacles to make it worth.

[Melisende]

Point 1) What makes you think a single surfacer would willfully walk into a free PvP area that drow may visit any moment, at least one who is not confident of his build's high pvp effectiveness?

Point 2) Right now, travelling to surface takes epic level party, and that alone takes out all of the joy a "Blooding" type quest may have. This is a ritual that has little meaning for an experienced drow IMO.

Point 3) Perhaps when/if teleportation makes travelling easier that would be an option.

Point 4) Shouldn't we focus on things that will make UD more enjoyable for everyone down there and not only evil-aligned drow PCs who are probably less than 30-40% of the UD population instead?


Just saying, I am not against this idea, I just see to many obstacles to make it worth.

Why would it be a single surfacer as opposed to a group? If it is an area known for raids, I would expect that anyone who entered would do so with the idea that they will be entering a combat zone. While fighting there could devolve into a chaotic pell-mell it could also result in fun, team-based, PvP without a need for DM supervision. And yes, I realize that activity in these zones could be rather sparse, yet it would at least offer another adventuring option for any number of players with epic Drow characters (though it would potentially be open to middle level characters in group play as well). In the end, what is there to lose? No XP is lost in PvP and the RP, tactical, and strategic possibilities are all wide open.

If you look at the quest idea I outlined, it would not involve the Netherese Maze at all, but rather a direct transition to an enclosed surface area with an armed caravan to ransack, rob, or negotiate with (options depending on what level of sophistication the staff would wish to give the endeavor). The difficulty could thus be set to whatever level is desired.

Not to contradict you but the Drow are, generally speaking, an evil race. Why shouldn't there be a quest that involves robbing a caravan? And to assuage any qualms about killing surfacers, an option to obtain the quest object by stealth or negotiation could be included.

At any rate, I was simply putting some ideas out there. If they find support great, if not life goes on.

[Blackman D]

well most drow are indeed evil and have some sort of a build that revolves around well... killing

having a quest that will allow drow to raid something without a DM would be a good idea, and its not like the UD is overflowing with quests anyway... any new quest (thats worth doing) is highly needed

the only real problem with the idea though is who will actually make it

[Melisende]

well most drow are indeed evil and have some sort of a build that revolves around well... killing

having a quest that will allow drow to raid something without a DM would be a good idea, and its not like the UD is overflowing with quests anyway... any new quest (thats worth doing) is highly needed

the only real problem with the idea though is who will actually make it

I am willing to flesh out the plot and write up the dialogue, but I am no builder or scripter. My concept for the quest would involve a Drow alchemist cheated out of a magical pot in the Dark Weavings Bazaar. The culprit, a Calim trader, has already left for the surface. The alchemist has now scried the trader's whereabouts but still needs someone to recover the magical pot by fair means or foul. The quest could then involve straight combat, stealth, or even negotiation, depending on the level of complexity and sophistication desired.

[Rainbow Prism]

I dread at the thought of drow RP based completely on PvP basis. Zone specifically for PvP? Did I just accidentally picked wrong forum? For a moment, it sounded like action server discussion.

[MoDSec]

So, I thought I'd pop up and tell you folks that though I personally think the underdark is now pristine and beautiful... I have had friends tell me that they could not stand the atmosphere. Something hit them wrong. I suppose it's a per player thing, but they didn't like it. so.. 1/3 of my little group didn't like "The atmosphere."

[Eldebryn]

So, I thought I'd pop up and tell you folks that though I personally think the underdark is now pristine and beautiful... I have had friends tell me that they could not stand the atmosphere. Something hit them wrong. I suppose it's a per player thing, but they didn't like it. so.. 1/3 of my little group didn't like "The atmosphere."

I have come to accept this as normal personally. Some people just can't stand the whole underground dark tunnels setting without a single natural light, piece of grass or sky. There is not much one can do about that...

Unless of course by 'atmosphere' you meant something else, like the city for instance.

[nwnolan]

I love the UD. In fact, I think it's the smaller number of players that I love, because I'm able to establish a more solid basis with the consistent players of the UD. And as to your mention Rainbow, we're just discussing ideas.

And Melisende, I love the idea of your quest. However, I doubt many will accomplish it because they'd have to go through that maze, which means that for most builds they'd have to party up with other epics. Perhaps it's a caravan heading to another city and we could just stick it somewhere deep in the caverns? You know, like past the helmed horrors or something like that?