Being a player on EFU for more than year, I thought I knew the ropes of how to survive in the Underdark. Then the same incident happened twice in the last week that illustrated the dangers of being a denizen of Sanctuary: I was mugged.

I won't go into detail about how I was mugged; lets just say that I certainly should have known better. The first time I was able to fight off the attack, and even got to take a chunk out of one of the perps. The second time, I wasn't so lucky, but they did leave my character alive at least.

By far this wasn't the first incident of PVP violence I've suffered. I do remember about eight months ago having one of other characters looted while he was fugued....I complained to high heaven, contacted a DM; sent tells to the guy who ransacked my corpse. I was livid; maybe it was because the double insult of having been fugued and then having one of my fellow quest mates ransack my mutilated corpse was way too much. It was "in character," everyone said, and after my initial outrage I did see their point. Being robbed while lying on the floor IC blurred my sense of outrage OOC.

Strangely, when was mugged twice this past week, I was in awe actually of the set up and probably more upset at my naivete. I didn't have any OOC contact with my first attacker, but when it happened the 2nd time, I had to know if I fell victim to the same person. So I asked him: "Hey did you do this to me last week?"

"No," was the reply, "Hope there are no hard feelings."

"None at all" I sent back. "I understand it's just part of the game." The truth of it was, falling victim to the same crime twice in the same week made me realize just what a cool place this was. The muggings weren't OOC malicious, it just pointed out everyone's struggle for survival and it just added to the overall ambiance of the server. The fact that I could have a civil tell back and forth with the person who did mug me just showed how mature our player base can be. IC acts of violence certainly don't have to lead to OOC incivility.

What did I learn from all of this? Certainly to be more careful. Maybe I wasn't scared enough of what is out there in the Underdark, but I certainly am now..... Bravo.

bobpah (Stockholm Syndrome Victim)

Kudos to you and your assailant(s) for handling this maturely. It's not fun getting PWNT, but it happens to even the best. To take it as well as you did is to be comended, as is being a "nice" mugger. Keep it friendly my fellow EFU-ers and remember to loot with kindness!

Hear, hear! Fantastic. Threads like this make me feel like a proud parent. If you play on this server enough, you will get mugged. Or, at least, someone will try! It is completely IC to beat someone's ass for a multitude of reasons. Don't assume the other player is an OOC dick just because you got embarrassed. If you get mugged, now you have a built-in adversary. Great for RP!.

of course you will get the odd fool who attacks you for the hell of attacking, most likely bordom or Insanity of the player, then logs off immediatly after the event so you cant go after them or anything *grumbles* this happened to me once and im sure it will happen agin... thankfully a majority of players arent like this.

It is good to hear there is happy endings however when the attack was done IC :)

Kudos indeed. I think keeping the OOc and IC detached is the key to it as Bobpah described, and one of the hardest things to fully maintain in all circumstances.

One thing I would add, is this behavious also needs to work in reverse, by that i mean, if your attempted mugging goes wrong, ie the 'victim' turns round and wipes you out, its also vital to be OOC cool about it, as Bobpah has described when being the victim.

I say this, as not so long ago someone tried to mug me and failed - big-time, and as i killed them they were very gracious (OOC not IC of course!). They accepted that the risks were there that it would happen at some point, but of course the rewards were good when it worked.

I like muggingss personally it adds more revenge plots and stuff.

I hate when people kill you just to take your things.

as the others have said, good on you for being able to take the abuse, and still enjoy the server. Don't forget how handy those invisibility potions and tanglefoot bags are ;)

The threat of PvP is what I love about sites like EfU. The reality of PvP, however, is a mixed bag for me. I've had some great times as a victim, and some horrible times as a victim.

Successful PvP, to me, is a simple formula. RP, RP, RP. The times I've really been bummed over PvP was when my character was attacked with no or little warning, no emotes, and, basically, no opportunity to participate in it other than to watch a brief, senseless killing, much like watching a "lag death".

On the other hand, it's important when someone starts PvP to give the attacker a chance to RP it. Otherwise, there's no incentive for them to waste time RP'ing, meanwhile their prey takes advantage of the game mechanics and conveniently transitions while they're trying to type an emote.