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A Newbie’s Tale (x2)

To avoid confusion – this whole post is OOC.

First, I am relatively new to the on-line Role Playing, having really only participated for about one year; but I do derive great pleasure from it. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m clumsy, and tend to “fat-finger” my keyboard way more that the typical RPer, and take too much time following the conversations, and replying to comments that have already scrolled off the top; however, I do try and I’m learning new things everyday.

Second, as my PC is currently in the slammer refusing to break rocks – I have nothing to do game-wise except post on this forum until something changes in the game.

I was first introduced to Escape from the Underdark about a month ago – based on some experiences of a group I play with on another server. So, I spent some time on the web page and developed a character concept that seemed to appeal to me and “jumped” right in. I had really spent about 6 hours reviewing all the “stuff” concerning server rules and what not – certainly not enough time to absorb it all, but I felt I had a reasonable “working” knowledge base with which to play.

I had opted for a elven cleric of Aerdrie Faenya, with the domains air and animal – perhaps not the best choices for an underdark setting – but my hero was intended to be a recent captive and it is his intention to get out of this place (would like to become a “seeker”)

Now after all this, I get my character set up and work my way through the “intro” finally arriving at my destination, Santuary’s Gate; pretty good so far. I entered the city and after descending to Upper Sanctuary, I met poor Josephine, left in shackles near the steps. She needs my help as the key is with Rufus who happens to be at City Hall – well, how convenient as I’m heading there to pick up a citizen stone myself!

Now, once in the Hall, Rufus is easy to find and so I go to speak with him – unable to persuade him I fork over 25 gold (most of what I had) to get the key from him. I had tried filing a report with a guard first, but nothing came of it, so after a bit of waiting, I opted to spend the gold.

No sooner had I “purchased” the key when a halfling (or perhaps it was a gnome?) approached me demanding the key! I refused to give it up and to my surprise the PC went Hostile (Red) on me (now I know how that is done, heh). The next thing I know this guy is attacking me and kills me right there in front of all those folks!

Now this is the first (and so far the only) experience I’ve ever had with Player Killing (PK) – didn’t even know what it meant until that moment. Well, that was a pisser and I logged off – have no idea of whether that PC got the key from me or not – don’t really care.

(After discussing this sequence of events with a friend, it seems this particular PC may know me from another server and perhaps got some “revenge” – not sure about that though.)

Yesterday – my favorite server (Greyhawk: Verbobonc) was down, so needing a NWN “fix” I logged into EFU with a new name Mhyr (to prevent what happened last time – although if what I suspect is true than this will reveal my new identity to that individual – so be it). Well, this session hasn’t gone a whole lot better for me. (You can read about it under the “Wrongful Arrest” thread if you like).

Now, the reason I’m spewing all this isn’t to gain any sympathy – don’t need that; but rather to give those who care a “true” newbie’s perspective of your server. A lot of folks in the other thread seemed to think that I was a bit unlucky in this case – but honestly, we are two for two here.

Now if you really want to help me, get me out of this cell so I can play. (But if you can’t that is ok as well because my favorite server is back up.) :-)

Log on, I'll meet you there on my patrol of the Residential District. (Hey, I got to patrol anywhere in Sanctuary that I can, so I'm doing Residential district next)

Your first experience sounds pretty terrible, and I'm almost positive that person was violating server rules to do this to you. (If there were no NPC reactions to a murder right in the middle of Town Hall, then they were PvPing without DM supervision, almost guaranteed, which violates server PvP policy.)

The incident with Sten is not as bad, since it was an IC thing, but I can see how it would be annoying.

My own noob story, well ... I won't bore you with the details, but needless to say it was entirely positive. You've just been unlucky, I think.

(I'll give you fair OOC warning right now to steer clear of my Spellguard Agent, Akhil Ramana, as he is an extremely big jerk, and you probably aren't looking to deal with that IG. I also apologize in advance if you do happen to meet him and he insults your character, because he probably will. Sorry.)

This post is OOC.

For AKMatt -- ha, ha, ha! No problem with meeting "jerks" not everyone gets along. To be fair my PC was fairly insulting to Sten during and after the arrest (didn't swear though) calling him "dim-witted" and "lackey" and such. So I fully understand the reason behind his actions -- I truly do!

Its just that he's got me in a vice grip now that I can't seem to shake -- although it seems that something is stirring in the IC forum threads - so I see a light at the end of this tunnel and things are moving along. I'm determined to work this thing through IC/IG. If someone comes along while I'm pondering my dilemma in the cell then so be it but otherwise it will eventually work itself out -- I have faith in the system!

Yeah, that PK'ing after about an hour of play really came as a shocker! :shock:

Pretty sure there was no DM involved (at least I was never made aware of one) and I was only level 2 at the time -- a true noob. I was so pissed I just logged off -- took about a month to cool off enough to come back. :)

This is an OOC forum, so we're OOC.

Mhyr, I can get you out of there, so just log on with whoever's in the workhouse, I'll see what I can do from there.

Throwing down some sympathy an reassurance here:

If what you said is true, you were totally griefed and need to contact DMs with that player's info so he/she can be watched. If you have screenies of it, that'd be even better. Chat logging would be another good tool to document your pwnage too. An immediate tell to the DM channel might also have helped. Overall, sounds like you got one of the occasional smacktards who logs in, causes trouble, and never returns again.

I too nearly gave up FAST after going online - on another server, my good friend and I as total NWN newbies quested with a couple of slightly higher level folks and were promptly mugged and beaten to death after the quest was over, right in front of the quest giver. Salk about a rude welcome to the server! After we licked our wounds and discovered that we had been basically taken as newbies like you had, things went fine and we still go back, three years later.

In two years on EFU, I have only seen maybe two such incidents as you are describing. In both cases , no DM was around, and a group of concerned citizen/players took matters into their own hands, came OOC and beat the @#$% out of the offender each and every time he respawned until he left. When we saw him come in with a DIFFERENT character, we went after it too.

Best of luck to you. This server really does have an awesome player base, many of us who will totally bend over backwards to assist newbies get the feel of things. Just stay away from those Spellguard and Watch A__H___s *grin* Stick with it!

PD

Disclaimer: The views of this player do not necessarily reflect those of his PC. Please don't pwn me. :oops:

For PD -- wow! That would suck to do a quest and then loose everything! At least mine was early. And since I'm basically playing the same character I really haven't lost that much. :lol:

No screen shots, no logs -- not even sure I recall the name correctly (although if I see him again -- I think I will recognize him). It all happened rather quickly and I certainly wasn't expecting anything like that to happen!

Not a big deal anymore -- just at the time I was wishing there weren't any computers between our two desks.

Mhyr- the first interaction you received (sounds like) it was in breach of the rules, and is potentially a bannable offence. Please report any breaches like this to us so we can deal with it

With regards to Sten's conduct, I think it's important to see bad things happening to your PC as not necessarily being bad things for you. We are about telling a story. The key thing with telling a story is to be exciting, and create emotion. Not to 'win'.

Admittedly, your experiences can be daunting. EfU prides itself on it's realism and intensity, and thus our player characters are very vulnerable, to corruption and the like. I'll try to find you IG sometime soon so we can have a chat about the server and how you're feeling about your experience as of the moment.

Feel free to forum PM me if you have any issues.

- DM DangerousDan.

Had sten been their that person would have been dully beaten and thrown in a cell. Personally im sorry about your first Expierience and hate PKers like that.

I am sorry that happened to you. Really, new people should not be getting treated like this.

If your elf character isn't working out, make a dwarf and head down to the Canal Ward. Everyone in the Mithrilsoul faction is very friendly, supportive, and our group is large enough that we can do quests without having to interact with negative (insulting, corrupt, whatever) characters. We can also typically dissuade griefers from pestering us, regardless of whether or not they are acting within the rules.

Best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

Dr Dragon Had sten been their that person would have been dully beaten and thrown in a cell. Personally im sorry about your first Expierience and hate PKers like that.

ha, ha, ha! The first time that Sten beat me, I thought it was a repeat of that earlier experience -- thinking "Damn, what am I doing wrong here?"

Then I noticed you were "subduing" me -- didn't know you could do that -- but recalled reading something about it somewhere and sure enough, I didn't die. 8)

You should be able to speak to the Watchman NPC nearby to get out of jail. He'll offer you a conversation that says: "You have been arrested for so and so, and have to spend X amount of time in here still."

When you've spent the time needed in there, you'll be given a conversation option to be let out.

If any new players are arrested and have no idea how to escape the prison cell, just send a polite tell to the Watchman that arrested you to ask what's going on.

To Watch players, if you suspect the player might be new and don't plan to roleplay with them after you've arrested them, let them know how to get out at least.

--

Whoever attacked you in front of NPC's and killed you without a DM around will probably be banned. Cheers!

wcsherry You should be able to speak to the Watchman NPC nearby to get out of jail. He'll offer you a conversation that says: "You have been arrested for so and so, and have to spend X amount of time in here still."

When you've spent the time needed in there, you'll be given a conversation option to be let out.

If any new players are arrested and have no idea how to escape the prison cell, just send a polite tell to the Watchman that arrested you to ask what's going on.

I believe that may be true for the first cell that I was placed in -- seems it was a time thing; but I wasn't there long enough to find out as Sten moved me to the "rock pile" where you have to break rocks and collect ore to gain release. I knew that I "could" get out this way, but didn't want to submit to Sten's authority as I felt that I had be wronged.

Now there was a Corporal nearby who would let you file a report -- but Sten was the one who responded so that option was effectively "blocked" as well.

wcsherry

To Watch players, if you suspect the player might be new and don't plan to roleplay with them after you've arrested them, let them know how to get out at least.

Oh there was quite a bit of RP going on here! Sten finally had heard enough and left. And that is when I realized that it was difficult to get another to come around and listen to my tale of abuse. And I was headstrong about not breaking rocks -- hey, I can RP too (or at least make an attempt).

If the Watch NPC near the rock breaking cell doesn't offer a conversation to let you out of the cell, it is Bug Report time. I'll test it out later.

sherry. plz 2 read posts kthx.

The NPC isn't broken. He just ICly refuses to break the rocks to earn his freedom.