Combs
It's dead cold in the winter of the year 1373, as the Winter Solstice festivities are coming to a close all around the realms. Families gather in their homes, warmed by the calming fires that adorn their townhouses, caravaners moved across the dusty roads with their wares, a young boy learned from his master the skills of dueling with a rapier; life was normal. The following week seemed no different than any other, but some could sense that all was not well. Eventually, it began.
In a sweeping attack, dragons descended from the western border of Sembia into Cormyr. These were not living dragons, my friend. No, these dragons were far from living. Flesh rotting, bones protruding, eyes glowing with a deathly shade; these were the undead. The dracoliches. Previously a simple hook for common tavern conversation, these beasts were typically spoken of merely in legend, but at last, they finally show off their fleshless faces to the eyes of thousands of Cormyrians. Their objective was hardly clear as panic began to ensue, but the beasts pressed on ever closer towards the bustling cities.
The City of Arabel, the great Caravan City, was destroyed in an attack that could be considered the beginning, and the most brutal, of the war. Some say the countless lives lost in this skirmish weren't lost by the grueling fury of the dracoliches alone, but the living dead raised amongst the afterlife to take the realm that they naturally feel is their own. With every new death, formed a new life, which would reach out to take another life in it's endless want for new flesh. Suzail was their next priority, and Cormyr fell to it's knees to the undead hordes. As I said, this was merely the beginning.
Early warning reaches your current locale, Calimport. The seasoned undead hordes are on their way, and while volunteers and official Calimport guardsman are stacking themselves in front and behind city gate barricades, it's quite clear that the city will hardly stand a chance. Some gather to defend the desert city they've grown to know and love, and some seek the nearest and safest option for evacuation. The war has begun. What role will you play?
And that's a little story introduction for ya for those interested in some NwN1 campaign action. Some of you may or may not be aware that over the past year I've been developing an NwN1 PW titled "Islands of Elysium", based around a paradise island retreat near Calimport that people used as a haven from the war described above, a persistent world surrounding a bustling village on this island chain 30 years after the described events. Throughout our run in Beta, I grew interest in the PW circuit surrounding Neverwinter Nights 2, and came to a decision with IoE's fellow DMs to revert our creation into a plot filled weekly campaign. If my FAQ written below doesn't answer any of the questions you might have, feel free to read up on our forums at www.loonsbury.com/delirium, or direct any specific questions to me, "Combs", on #IoE in mIRC.
What is a campaign you ask?
Essentially, we'll be taking applications for one or two seperate groups of people (each group including anywhere from 5 to 8 players), and based on timezone, we'll decide on an appropriate time for this group and it's corresponding DM to log on each week. The time decided on that's best for the involved players and DM(s) will be -the- weekly meeting spot where the group will get together and play for a couple solid hours together to move along the plot. Each weekly segment will be very plot intensive and enjoyable.
What's going to change in the setting?
When I mentioned that we're trying something new, I meant brand new; from scratch. We're rolling back the clocks 30 years from the current date of the live module (which is before Elysium was even colonized). In fact, the war is just beginning, and your characters will begin their journey in the City of Calimport where undead are on their way for a swift attack, and evacuation warnings are running rampant. After a timely introduction, your characters will end up on the S.S. Elysium with a vibrant cast of NPCs, destined for an island barely 300 miles off shore of Calimport. Only this time, there isn't a bustling island village waiting for you - it'll be your job to colonize this island week to week, while exploring the mysteries it has to offer.
Will there be things to do in between the weekly sessions?
Certainly. While general plot progression is the central focus in a "session", there will also still be things going on during the week in between sessions, and the server will be up for you if you need to grab a DM and login for whatever reason. Most "exploring" will be done as a group during your session (so expect some kind of limitations in how much land will be open to you without DM assistance). Though, as colonizing citizens of this new and mysterious island, you're not only casual citizens, you're planners. The layout of the city, and general expansion of the project will be in your hands to order as you please, and issues like these, along with fun little subplots and individual character stories and flashbacks will be concentrated on in between sessions.
What will happen to IoE as a PW?
The IoE DM team isn't throwing away the persistent world dream quite yet. Think of this campaign as a massive week-to-week prelude. Instead of hopping into an already thriving city where we the DMs dictate to you how the city runs, and how politics thrive, it's now up to you the player to shape the future of the server in your favor. At the conclusion of this campaign, a city that your characters built will be standing, and players will get to live in and experience a world that was literally shaped by you. Assuming this campaign project becomes a success, we'll revisit the goal of transforming into a thriving PW later down the road.
What if I already applied for a character in the persistent world format?
Obviously, any applications previously approved for DM factions are temporarily voided at this point, but those players (you know who you are) are more than welcome to play the same character if you'd rather not concept a new one. You just have to keep in mind that the clocks are rolled back 30 years, and anything that has happened in the PW setting is to be totally erased from their memory. Other approved concepts such as subraces, prestiege classes, and special characters are still good as well, but just contact me in IRC when you get a chance so we can clarify slight changes to your concept.
If you're one of these players, and would like to play with the same character, please put in a campaign application regardless, but things like Biography and Goals that were already approved in the past don't have to be written in complete detail. Just mention that you're using the same character as the PW format, and we'll have your background/goals already on file.
This sounds fun. How do I apply?
Characters will be taken in on somewhat of a first come first serve basis. We're not sure how many slots we're going to have available currently, but we'll be judging this off of how many character applications we receive. And don't worry too much about quality, the purpose of the applications is just so we can get an idea who your character is, and what their general motives are so we can know how to DM for you when it comes time.
Please e-mail the character application to IslandsOfElysium@gmail.com no later than January 12th, 2008 including all the info quoted below.
E-Mail header: (Game Account Name)/IoE Campaign1. Account Name: Simply give us your account name here.
2. Timezone/Playtimes: Simply include your timezone and some playtimes that you'd be able to set aside for a weekly 2 hour in game session. We'll use this criteria in matching you up with a group.
3. Character Race/Class/Alignment/Deity: All races, classes, alignments, and deities are allowed as long as they make sense to the roleplay of your character. This isn't designed to be a -good- or -evil- centralized campaign, but rather one of survival. Simply pick which alignment and character attitude you feel you'll personally enjoy the most.
4. Character Biography: A simple paragraph describing where your character is from, how he grew up, and why he's currently in Calimport (maybe he's there for business? or maybe he retreated there on a caravan from the destroyed Cormyr? be creative!). This section doesn't need to be a full blown essay like most character backgrounds end up.
5. Character Goals: These don't need to be in depth conflict goals or anything like that, but rather, simple character spice. What drives your character? What is it he/she wants to accomplish in life? What is their dream? Again, it doesn't need to be more than a paragraph.
6. Anything extra you want us to know: Feel free to put any questions or need clarifications here if you need, and we'll make sure to get back to ya.
Remember: Message "Combs" or "Codex" on #IoE in mIRC if you have any specific questions that you can't find answers to on our forums. Send away those applications!
PS: A special thank you to the -EfU- DMs for allowing me to post this here.
