I have noticed a mention of RP tokens which has stirred my curiosity. It has been said that using them as a reward for RPing/plotting does change the server dynamics in an undesirable way. Since losing the DM-awarded xp from events, plots and RPing (as opposed to the commonly gained xp that's no feat to get back) upon dying can be rather bothersome, however logical it is (whereas the RP tokens are a permanent way to favour the proactive characters xp-wise or so does it seem), I would like someone to share the main arguments against the RP tokens, especially in regards to this particular server and to how the DMs envision it.

Thanks for an answer.

I personally think it sup to the dms no matter what way we argue which is better.

I'm geussing the reason is because if you get a roleplay token your atempted to use it. It might encourage aperson who qeusts less to qeust alot more. High rewards can become addictive.

What is a roleplaying token? :D

I can't help approaching this without thinking about how it would best benefit me, which is a problem.

The dms are going to have to come up with an answer to this one and in truth, I think they are being really good about rewarding good role players already and not just with xp or items, but with more role play opportunities.

I guess the one thing I'd like to see that is somewhat connected to RP tokens is the vote. In fact, I could care less if the tokens actually even help you get xp or not, I'd just like to see who the server thinks is doing a good job at role playing. I know its OOC, but its nice to hear about players you don't necessarily know about and seek out interactions with them.

There are a couple of people who I like to put in the spot-light for the great things they did for Efu, both IC and OOC. Perhaps a Hall of Glory or something? :)

The Euro players would get a shit deal unless they're prepared to stay up until the crack of dawn, which I'm most certainly not.

I miss enough stuff as it is already, which I'm pretty miffed about. This is the last thing I need.

I'm not a fan of the token system.

If there IS a token system, I'd much rather see them ONLY function as a method to break past the soft cap (IE: If the cap is 10, one token would allow you to get to 11 with no bonuses of any kind.) The idea would be to allow characters/players who are going above/beyond to let it show in their character's strength or power.

Of course, the biggest flaw with that is the DMs can't observe everyone, but I'd think anything that required a token the DMs would know of considering our server's smaller population.

Ladocicea The Euro players would get a shit deal unless they're prepared to stay up until the crack of dawn, which I'm most certainly not.

I miss enough stuff as it is already, which I'm pretty miffed about. This is the last thing I need.

It's true, we need a European DM. Or more, at least. Most of the things there are to do I get around 02:00 - 04:00 AM. That is not good. Puh-lease? We Europeans are loyal fans as well! 8)

Loyal suck fans :D

Seriously though, I know that the dm team is working on getting at least one more euro dm. If you know of anyone, I'm sure they'd like to hear about it.

On that note, why not some more euro players also? Take to the streets! Unite! You have nothing to lose but your chains! Get enough of you together and you'll steal those rp tokens from the clutches of us American capitlaist pigs for sure.

This seems like the sort of thing that is bound to lead to accusations of favoritism and cliques, and I'm speaking as someone who's recieved a fair amount of DM attention.

I would rather see something where the DMs get together regularly, either on IRC or through a forum, and discuss particularly interesting RP they've observed and think of ways to incorporate it into plots and stories for the whole server to enjoy. For all I know this may happen already and there are definitely individual DMs who use RP they observe to shape the server. I think this is much more rewarding than an arbitrary token that can be redeemed for a specific reward.

An example of what I'm talking about: several characters (including one of mine) had talked about wanting a ship for various reasons. Lo and behold! A boat appeared in the docks in Lower with a for sale sign. Allowing players to use their imaginations and affect the world like that are what makes this PW the best I've played on.

Coldburn

Ladocicea The Euro players would get a shit deal unless they're prepared to stay up until the crack of dawn, which I'm most certainly not.

I miss enough stuff as it is already, which I'm pretty miffed about. This is the last thing I need.

It's true, we need a European DM. Or more, at least. Most of the things there are to do I get around 02:00 - 04:00 AM. That is not good. Puh-lease? We Europeans are loyal fans as well! 8)

I'm totally with you guys as I'm usually on between 11pm and 4 am PST when all my countrymen have gone to bed.

outcrowd1

An example of what I'm talking about: several characters (including one of mine) had talked about wanting a ship for various reasons. Lo and behold! A boat appeared in the docks in Lower with a for sale sign. Allowing players to use their imaginations and affect the world like that are what makes this PW the best I've played on.

I vastly perfer this stuff to more experience no matter how its granted via tokens or bonuses.

I mean, seriously, who cares if you got yourself up to level 15 while I'm still level 7 if I've got DMs showering me with plots, intrigue, boats, and murder?

I'll be having a lot more fun. What really helps is when a DM just turns to you and says "Thanks, your character is adding a lot to the server." Its also, very hard to do that as a DM. You can get so wrapped up in DMing, keeping things moving, etc etc you forget to appreciate the people who help you have fun-so its always greatly appreciated.

I agree if there is a lvl 10 cap on the server, please only use the RP tokens to break past that, i dont see the point in giving people RP tokens, beacuse they RP well on a - RP - server, so if tokens get made, please only make them to break through the cap. :wink:

I'm not a fan of tokens because it's too much of a temptation to RP for tokens instead of RPing for its own sake. You could make the same argument for any reward for RP but I think it's most applicable to tokens.

It might encourage aperson who qeusts less to qeust alot more.

The idea would be to allow characters/players who are going above/beyond to let it show in their character's strength or power.

I think they are being really good about rewarding good role players already and not just with xp or items, but with more role play opportunities.

I mean, seriously, who cares if you got yourself up to level 15 while I'm still level 7 if I've got DMs showering me with plots, intrigue, boats, and murder?

I suppose there are varying thoughts on what exactly a RP token is, can be or would be. - This really wouldn't be an issue were it not for the perceived decline of the DM activity (or just the lack of the Eurozone ones) which, even if temporary, is a thing to be considered and countered into the future. The enthusiasm and free time don't last forever and I can imagine more good DMs are hard to come by.

I much prefer dumping someone with 1k XP and saying "you're doing an awesome job."

And honestly, I wish I did more of that. DM'ing is a challenge in a lot of ways, one thing I wish I was better was consistently rewarding the players who are doing such excellent jobs. I hope to improve on that.

I feel pretty strongly about RP tokens, so I'll take this oppotunity. To speak on the issue.

Tokens change the level dynamics A token would allow players to get higher levels faster. I don't find this desirable. I think leveling is going too fast as it is.

Token's promote not giving up a character when you should. This is one of my biggest issues with tokens. When a player has a character with a token on it, they often hand on too long to that character, because they don't want to give up the benefits they'd gotten due to having a token. This is especially true when multiple tokens are involved. Since you can gain huge advantages from tokens over other players, this becomes an issue far too often.

The benefits outlive earning them If you RP really well and impress people early on and get a token, and then focus on powergaming and become a mediocre player, do you still deserve the benefits of the token? If we give an xp award, we know that it was deserved at the time the benefit was given. Since tokens are delayed benefit, the question comes up of who deserves them at the time the benefit is derived.

The DM's LIKE rewarding people

If anything, my vision of RP tokens would be that of freeing the DMs' hands from the task of considering a manual xp award to the token-rewarded players since there already is an advantage in the xp potential those players have gotten, and to enable those players to focus on all those plots and intrigue even more intently.

I really don't like this vision. When I give out xp to an individual, they know right then I appreciated what they did. I can reward that same person a dozen times, and each time I'm not significantly affecting the game, but the player knows every time that they are being watched and appreciated. I actually give out RP xp fairly often. I give it to people for RP I think is exceptional. I give out xp to people when they take an action that is very IC, but sucks for their char ooc. I love giving out xp when I see people doing things to help include new players in stuff. If I rewarded a token, I'd likely consider the person substantially rewarded, and the only time they'd hear from me again is if I felt they deserved to lose the token. I don't want to be taking away tokens or giving bad tokens. I'd prefer to always just have positive reinforcement, and RP xp allows us to do that.

Vote -no- on RP tokens.

And yes, I do have it as my "witty signature" for purely sarcastic reasons.

I much prefer character specific or plot specific, unique and colorful items and/or xp, both of which can be used to further your characters goals. It makes for a cleaner experience in game as it helps get you in character, rather than thinking OOC that "i have an rp token, how shall I use it".

My two cents from my little dirty dixie cup about half filled with change.

Thrawn

I give out xp to people when they take an action that is very IC, but sucks for their char ooc.

Got some xp today for failing a quest :)

We must have failed it in an interesting way.

RP Tokens are largely a by-product of environments in which the quality of one's roleplay was approached in a competitive manner. Though, during a stage of my tenure as a player of NWN I very much embraced that idea, I am now ready to welcome a situation where a 'you're doing great' is really all you need from a DM.

No on roleplay tokens. Yes to instantaneous benefits to exceptional roleplay, for the same reasons Thrawn and Oroborous pointed out.

- Kiaring

I know I'm beating a dead horse but...

Outcrowd's post shows a point strong against RP tokens.

You failed a quest, but did it while RPing. I'm also assuming it really screwed you over, or someone else at least from death or financial drain, used equipment... whatever.

Gonna make this really brief, but let's look at two scenarios of this: 1) You have an RP token. -or- 2) You get an XP boost for doing a good job at making the quest more interesting, or RPing well.

In the first situation, you really don't get any reward from the token anyways, except for accelerated XP gain from the monsters you did kill before failure. Chances are though, it still isn't worth it. In addition, you didn't actually have to DO anything specific to make this quest any better.

In summation, you're getting a bonus on this quest that everyone else doesn't get because you're gracing them with your presence.

In the second situation, you would have had to do something special and specific to reap the rewards. You will have had to make an effort, and you would have had to RP consistantly. You absolutely have to EARN it... and even if you did all the work to earn it, you still might not get anything special because the DMs are trying to serve the players before rewarding them.

In sum, the second way requires a pro-active attitude towards RPing and plotweaving. The only inconsistancy is the reward, but if you're playing for this kind of reward, then maybe this isn't your kind of server. Or better yet, just try and refocus yourself on to what EfU is about- storytelling (or really, more of storywriting)

Fortunately, I can't think of anyone on the server who seems to have this kind of attitude. Perhaps I'm being naieve, and it's just because the server is young and the older characters are still somewhat fresh... but I don't think EfU will really have this problem, even if for some reason RP tokens are instituted.

I'm going to go ahead and lock this. The question has been answered at this point, and some posts are getting dangerously close to bashing other servers, and I'd like to end it before things get out of line.