Some DMs say that joining a faction does not necessarily give you any freebies, but this may be somewhat wrong. Of course, a faction should not be something for the goal-less character to drift towards, but there are certain things to keep in mind that a faction does give you:

A faction will give you a certain set of “base-goals” which you, most often, will share with your fellow faction members; it is a platform to inspire other goals, or to make characters try to figure out how to achieve them. These goals may often clash with the goals of other factions, making it more interesting and competitive.

E.g, two factions, (or members of the same faction) may both be searching for the same item, but for entirely different reasons.

You often get a certain reputation from a faction, due to its history or the actions of current/past faction members and this can be a reputation can be good or bad, but it might be something to try to change or uphold. With these reputations, characters gain a certain “status” within a city, which gives the character some “footing” in branching out into the player base. It gives the factions the chance to imprint their “goals” on the player base, to gain resources, be it information or his ability to “kick ass”, from Adventure Andy, and to gain potential allies or enemies. Factions are in a very strong position to influence the story of the player-base and this opportunity should be realized.

E.g it may be more inspiring to follow a group of Seekers on exploration than just Adventure Anton.

In addition, through the ties of the faction, or faction members, you might find the other part of the puzzle your character is looking for. Factions often have at their disposal information to use as advantage or payment to influence Adventure Andrew.

Factions will often give you “faction-buddies” or “faction enemies”. Establishing ties and reputation within the faction, or with other faction, will often help your character evolve and your character’s story may not progress as you had envisioned once faced with the challenges sticking by a faction pose.

A huge part of factions, and the part too many people just don't think about is that you are able to share information about plots with the entire faction. Faction members need to remember to let the rest of the faction know what they're up to, what's happening to them in game, and help spread the knowledge around so the faction can help you finish plots too.

Doing that can get your faction ultimately involved in every plot on the server that it wants to be involved in. Which means, you can start following up on plots that started with other characters. It makes resolving plots so much easier when you're part of a faction and share the information.

Also when you share information into your feeder factions, that makes them grow greatly as well.

The Order has its associates, the Seekers have their shrine, the Watch had/(Has?) the CDL.

Non-application, assistant PC factions are wonderous boons to any faction, provided you give them enough to do to keep membership interesting.

Random_White_Guy Also when you share information into your feeder factions, that makes them grow greatly as well.

The Order has its associates, the Seekers have their shrine, the Watch had/(Has?) the CDL.

Non-application, assistant PC factions are wonderous boons to any faction, provided you give them enough to do to keep membership interesting.

I hated those. Mostly because people would join, wear the uniform, and then never bother to share any information or follow up on any plots. Maybe if people tried to spread more information and be more involved with the forums it would help, but I know that I had a character in-game who went out of his way to get rid of the CDL because of the tendency of players to just join and never contribute to it.

You make a good point Oro, that could be said of both DM and PC factions.

Forums are a magical tool, bestowed upon us by the DMs, to relay information, plans, and other aspects besides "[ted looks at post, and wonders why these individuals are allowed to post] or [Throws feces at Ilmateri's post, adjusting his Lovitarran armor]".

Information sharing and trading, is always important to factions. Half of the issue that I've experienced with individuals, was "Spies". PC's felt some information was "Too Sensitive" to be given on the forums, and best spoken of in person, to avoid spies. This goes for PC and DM factions alike. If you play an IG spy, that is all well and good and awesome. Infiltrating an enemy faction and such, can be ehxillarating and epic.

What isn't epic, is joining a faction, copypastaing notes and plot ideas from their forum, and sending it to your boss forum.This is downright almost griefing, in my opinion, because you are doing no IC actions besides joining a faction, and aren't contributing to the faction you joined, even if it is in a negative light.

Misinformation of reports, fabricating lies on forums, Sabotaging people's plans IG, being that kink in the works, is what it should be.

While there are many reasons individuals don't feel the need to share plot information/etc, The one I've run into most is people are afraid of it getting Forumganked.

Be you a Watch Spy jumping into a criminal faction, a demonic worshiper going for the Spellguard, A lower-gang joining the Shrine to bring it down.

Forumganking is bad, and pollutes what should be a beautiful tool of spreading information and ideas. An individuals can't post his "Super Awesome DM Plot of Awesome" that the DMs have handed to him, if he's afraid he's gonna get arrested and or murdered, because some Forumganking "Spy" passes information of it onto the parent faction.

Doing it to some extent is all well and good. Its expected you'd send back tidbits of information.

While this tangent got a bit off topic, I'll swing it back in with excellent collusion.

If you're joining a faction, as either a supporter or a stick in the mud, PC interaction is what it is all about. Deal with people. Work on the forums. Spread your faction and personal goals. Make your presence known. Help recruit people. Talk to the civilians about why your job effin' rocks.

And don't be afraid to push your own PC plots into the DM factions, or amongst your fellow DM faction buddies.

Part of the joy of DM factions is you do not only have the support of your allies, but the DMs themselves and their allies. I'd wager that about 50-60%% of all plots that come out of factions have roots somewhere in the PC's. That goes as well for the Feeder factions. Have an awesome idea? Tell the Superior PC's, who tell the NPC's, who may be able to get that plot of yours into the living.

To summarize:

Join Factions. You get more life support Terry Schiavo.

I just skimmed the thread, so I might be repeating stuff.

When it comes to forum ganking, I wager that no actual forum text should be copied. It should all take place as a discussion in the game. That way, little details are lost or emphasized- for good or bad. But as RwG mentioned above, keep it classy. 8)

The way I look at it is the more influence your character has, the more stuff is gonna roll down his alley. Your character will gain friends, enemies and objectives. Joining a faction will expand his influence.

Don't get mistaken that factions are the only way to get ahead. I've had characters who's influence was something to consider. DM factions are a very good way to gain influence, but sometimes player factions hold a good deal of Sway.

And factionless characters have the hardest time getting ahead, but don't be mistaken, I've seen characters who's opinion changed entire plots and the direction of it!

I think some people underestimate people going "join meh!". Or maybe just unwilling to do a little molding while I am fully ready to accept and work with you [OOC, of course] as a faction leader to help on whatever goals and concepts (as in I would try to make some opportunities for you character to do whatever you are trying to do) if the character seems sensible enough to be in the faction. Even if you casually play I would accept you and get your character started even if they are in rags with some gear if it is available. (because you are going to need the money to buy the uniform, as I am offsetting the price of customized uniforms with those freebies) as long as you are willing to take up the uniform and act as a member of the faction and participate if you can so other people can know IG/IC about the faction.

Not sure if this was mentioned but Factions are a great way to aqquaint yourself with EFU's backround. There is alot of history, good rpers, and interesting plots in factions.

If you are new, and feeling a bit clueless at times you might as well explore factions, if for no other reason then get familiar with some of the more permanent members of EFU.

Just me tho....I like factions to help get aqquainted with people and backround of the server ^^

Every PC should be in a faction.

Perhaps you take some time to get accustomed to the character or the setting, but after a bit the PC should be associated with something.

Only by associating yourself with some kind of group/idea/cause can you really have a character that has goals and a plot that involves and affects other players. I think that is ultimately the goal of every player once they are used to the server, i.e., to get involved in interesting plots with other players.

Also, I don't necessarily mean DM factions, in fact, I encourage joining or starting your own player faction (although the DM ones are much better). You might just start your own and be the only member at first.

Factions provide a few things. Oro mentioned the flow of information, which is key. Without communication between faction members, the faction breaks down into individuals and you no longer have a faction....

There is also the 'unity' idea. Several factions serve what would be necessary groups on the surface. Clans of dwarves (Stoutheart and Mithrilsoul clans), orders of knights and clergy (the beacon staff, Temple of Hoar, Greycloaks), fanatics (society of the ordered mind), rebels and freedom fighters (Seekers, Pissing Crone staff), etc.

Some of those are DM led ones (Society, Seekers, Crone), others are lead, created and managed entirely by PC's (Stouts, Souls, 'Cloaks).

The idea is that it forms tensions that might not be as obvious. For example the Society might clash with the seekers if somehow the seekers got involved with abberations in their search for the surface.

Or the Stouts might brawl with the 'Souls if a matter of heritage or honor is broken between the two dwarven clans.

yes some of these have specialized items in some form or another (might just be a specially colored armor or something), but really, at the heart of factions is just finding a group of other players that have a similar character to your own and the working as a group against other factions to create an interesting playground for all (faction and non-faction) involved.

Factions are incredibly awesome, and I can say with conviction that until you've joined and played in one, you've not really experienced everything EFU has to offer.

EFU is at its absolute best when our factions are full, too. The application process is easy, don't be shy!

Shameless plug

Join the Uberdwarven Mithrilsoulers! We have ale, and we kill giants!

Over and above that, we have amazing players and a sweet leader.

I don't know much about other factions, but I have heard some amazing things about some of them. If you just want to drum up a character and develop him as you go along, a faction's a great way to do it.

Great stuff!

Factions are really great. Fighting against them is fun, being part of them is fun, having allies and getting into conflicts because of them is fun. Factions rock.

I'd really like to see nearly every PC involved in factions in some way. I get a little bit disappointed every time I see a PC that would fit well into a faction (or work well as an out-of-faction informant or enforcer but opting not to). If it makes sense for your PC to join up with a faction, by all means do so! Applications are fairly easy, and the rewards are fantastic.

A lot of my really enjoyable memories involved being part of a faction. Agent Foxmantle storming the gates of Sslal'teesh (and dying twice in the process >_>), watching Operative Lathae get nuked by drow, and selling classified information to all sorts of nefarious types, as well as Donovan holding Fight Nights and amassing an army of thugs from the Crone, etc. Do it!

Getting involved with factions is a great way to get involved in plots. However, sometimes faction PCs are stingy with information, keeping possible plot hooks for themselves or their buddies. This ain't cool, bro.