Big Events

[Oroborous]

I know its a lot to ask, but I think it may bear some asking.

After this:

Hundreds of the Nightrisers' bones littering the Ziggurat proceeding to turn to ashes under the warmth of the sun's rays. The defenders of the Ziggurat had certainly won this day and bought the settlement much needed time against this mysterious threat, but many wonder... how long the settlement would last against such an uncanny foe if no one would step up and organize the defenses.

Now, my PC spent the last week and a half essentially organizing a militia, having people build and construct barricades, and planning a defense.

But since none of those defenses were in place, no one who was in the militia including myself even knew that tonight was the night of the event--it does look entirely like no one did anything.

I won't go into details of how or why that is frustrating, but I do essentially ask that if the DMs are going run "big events" like this that a specific group of players actually were planning for--it would be wonderful if they gave us a heads up so we can be prepared.

Having spoken to another player who essentially agrees, I want to add that as much as the DMs seem to want us to build up things on the server--its incredibly hard to build up things when those efforts fail to get any support, and then some of the big events that may have been incredibly useful for building support essentially bypass any of our efforts.

[I can has fun?]

For what it's worth, I made a few sendings at the start and during the event calling the militia to the defense of the ziggurat. Although I never took a roll call, there were 40 people there, at least a few of them had to be volunteers. I think it's fair to say that the militia contributed to the defense in some form or another.

[Letsplayforfun]

If i may add, although there's pros an cons to such a suggestion: it'd be nice if some of the big events scheduled times could be posted like a day or two before it took place.

Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't, so i thought i'd just post that reminder here. Logging on after events you could've attended to is always frustrating.

The risk is getting too many people, but since i havn't experienced lag at all since the server change, that could be worth a try, maybe.

[Ladocicea]

I agree. I didn't know that the event was last night, which meant I wasn't around to give the NPC support I promised I would as a result of PC to PC negotiations. So double apologies there.

I think in future more effort could be made to publicise the time of major events.

[Cluckyx]

I'm going to agree, but keep it brief because it's pretty much already been said. If the playerbase isn't making much visible effort to deal with whatever has appeared on the horizon. Then catch them unawares, yet if a specific group of players has distingiushed themselves in trying to interact with and around the proposed event. It would be much more enjoyable for both parties, players and DMs if this sort of thing has a little OOC planning. It just works better.

[Mort]

There will be lot more opportunities and events to help make a difference on the server. I (think?) everyone who participated had a great time and amidst these words, I would just like to hijack the post to make a public ovation to the playerbase that participated in this event.

Also with the new stability of the server allowing us to ran these events with a LOT less lag than, if everyone remember, the battles of the endplot -- This was also a true boon, so I'll take a moment to thank Howland for the new server as it is truly awesome.

Now, This was probably my first server-wide event involving 40+ people, and everyone's behaviour was absolutely charming (ooc). There were no complaints, no bad blood being spilled over what happened despite the (many) deaths, absolutely nothing of that sort, everyone stayed in character and kept their cool and it was a pure pleasure to both run and participate in. There was also no issues of people being drylooted while I wasn't paying attention and I really wanted to thank everyone for this level of high sportsmanship!

I apologize in advances to people who wanted to do some solo or small groups stuff during this long event, and I couldn't grant that favor at the time.

So thank you everyone, you guys rocked and definitely kept me interested in running these massive, albeit dangerous events in the future!

[Valium Skies]

A DM doesn't always know when he's going to run an event. Sometimes he misses what players are doing. The bottom line is that sometimes you miss things that you'd really want to participate in, and sometimes what you're doing can get missed. If a DM wants to pop in and run a spontaneous surprise event for most of the server, I think this is perfectly fine. It's not as if this event had any serious impact on the plot-at-large of the server; like Mort said, there'll be plenty more opportunities for your characters to make good on their promises.

Yes, it'd certainly be nice if you had a telegraph before every big DM event so you could always be in it, but I think you'd do better to just appreciate that a DM ran a server-heavy event, roll with the outcome, and get ready for the next developments in the plot, rather than trying to put unreasonable expectations on him to announce and publicize his events ahead of time.

[Jayde Moon]

I think the OP's bigger beef had more to do with the absence of physical defenses they RPed working on and may or may not have posted about in the Module Change Request Thread or some other prominent location.

So instead of barricades and other defenses being available to aid the defenders, there was nothing to account for all of the time spent putting in said defenses.

Certainly understandable to me that there might be some frustration:

"Skellies are storming up the ramp that I spent 2 real life hours with 10 other guys RPing lashing together wooden barricades!"

On the flip side, I didn't see the notice in the Module Change Request Thread, so either nothing was ever posted about it, or the DMs took the request down, deeming it either done, or not enough to impact the server.

If it is the former (didn't post), then you can hardly blame the DMs for your lack of follow through.  If it was the second, perhaps you want to examine with the DMs WHY they thought your work shouldn't go into the mod, so you can be better prepared in the future.

[MisterPAIN]

I've seen people -talk- about defenses.  The best effort to change the gameworld I've seen was by the PC Scrapper spending a bunch of time removing a slab of rubble out of the Kingsman's place using str checks and RPing the results in a not-so instant matter.  It was tedious but I think anyone seeing that would definitely think that piece was going to be gone.

Currently, there are no real guidelines to menial labor/cleaning/etc for a actual change.

[Tyrael]

If i may add, although there's pros an cons to such a suggestion: it'd be nice if some of the big events scheduled times could be posted like a day or two before it took place.

Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't, so i thought i'd just post that reminder here. Logging on after events you could've attended to is always frustrating.

The risk is getting too many people, but since i havn't experienced lag at all since the server change, that could be worth a try, maybe.

I agree completely. I had no idea when the Destruction of Sanctuary would be, nor the Surface Run, and so I was unable to participate. I saw no forum warning, either, so my active character, who would've been able to participate in both, is now stuck in the Underdark due to a lack of warning.[/rant]

[9lives]

All attempts at The Way were initiated by players.

[ShiftingAllegiances]

Tyrael, as Ninelives pointed out, the "surface run" is pure in game planning by PCs. So your character would have had to talk with the vast number of different PC groups that attempted it. In regards to the destruction of Sanctuary, there was plenty of warning and heads up regarding its impending doom.

As for the event, I think that it is safe to say that though some people could not make it, this will always be the case. If the real issue is lack of barricades, etc. I think these things take time to be set up in game and probably are being worked on. For the support, I understand the feeling of wanting to uphold word given.

Finally, I think that most DM events as this one shouldn't be announced. I think it adds to the flavor when all of a sudden, you either choose to fight or flee. Too many warnings and you would have people going on mini binges to find items they know will own against said enemy.

Btw for any who didn't remember to tell Mort how awesome that was, please do. Even if just in a pm on IRC.

[Snoteye]

Just pointing out that the module changes thread isn't end all, be all. Ideally, you should be able to trust a DM sufficiently involved (i.e. not just a possession to buy lots of wood) in any given process to, if not make the necessary changes, then make sure somebody else does. Of course, said thread is still an important tool for us, and a reminder there never hurts.