The Achipelago so Far

[Cluckyx]

I look at this thread, and in this thread I wanted to give people a chance to bounce ideas and inspire each other the posts have mostly consisted of:

1. Complaining
2. Reasons why nothing should have to change or change yet

I think my purposes have been misconstrued so I think I will back out for now, feel free to continue this thread for now as you see fit.

[erglion]

I'll take a stab at what your original intent was.  If what I state below is something that you have been working toward, think of it as me saying "I think that would be awesome too," rather than belittling your own efforts.

A proud and strong militia, knightly even, that honorably defends the city.  Maybe supported by a brigade that is more Watch-like, and spans the lawful spectrum.

A neutrally centered mage's guild with a focus on research and arcane experimentation.

Restore the East ruins as a temple district where a number of churches can vie for power.  Possibly with a few smaller shrines that can be constantly competed over by PC groups.

A shady dock-community where thieves guilds, merchant-traders, and other elements barter for power.  Possibly establishing the inter-island travel and trade economy.

Dwarves living/mining in the mountains.

An established elven community in the forests.

I can't wait to see what form the (first) government takes.  I look forward to having established politicians, judges, and banks, and the intrigue they'll weave.

Now that I see it written out, they all seem like very stereotypical D&D themes.  I guess that is what I like.  Although what I like most is watching people build, work towards things, struggle between each other, and eventually come up with things that defy my expectations.  I look forward to watching us create whatever it is that we can manage, and working through the problems that we face.  As always it's about the journey and the adventures along the way.

[Tyrael]

At the risk of being political: After reading the OP, I thought, "Change we can believe in! Yes We Can!"

Obama for Archipelago 2012. Yes We Can. :)

[domare]

Erglion is a seasoned RP’er and brings up some good discussion points.  I must say that I have been playing full time on this server for the past month and I will be so bold to say it…I am struggling with the server so far.  I am not entirely sure what the causes are.  I do recognize that the change from EfU to EFUA would be a bit more difficult for me on account of my personal bias in favor of EfU.  I personally always especially enjoyed the depression of the Underdark setting.

As for my experiences with EFUA, I have to say that I love the setting and graphics.  I can tell the DM crew did a hell of a job setting up quests, areas, plots, etc.  Yet, I do not think the player population as caught on yet.  For me personally, I rolled up a character that interest me and geared him toward the forgotten flower order.  However, despite some attempts over the past couple of weeks, I have not been able to link up with any PC’s or NPC’s in game yet.  Even the most thought out character's can lose their luster if your character never finds that click of pc’s to role play with.  

I know the back breaking work the DM crew has put into this server in an attempt to keep it interesting for the player base, so I don’t put any of my difficulties on them.  My guess is that the player dynamics are still forming IG, which is why I have not seen any roving bands of pc’s with particular agendas.  I will keep an eye out.

Domare

[Ommadawn]

Domare, I sympathise. I tried to do exactly the same thing as well, and finally gave up. It's not the end of the world of course, and there are still things about the original setting I miss (I actually liked playing in the Underdark, silly me... :p ) but EfU:a is certainly growing on me as well, and is really still in beta stage. Give it time and I'm sure it will blow our minds.

[Letsplayforfun]

Sometimes it just takes time for things to get on the way. For example the first dwarf community seemed to have died with it's leaders, an suddenly there's another active dwarf team around. If you've a concept that seems to be a little stuck for the moment, keep it warm in your vault, and pull it ot again when context seems favorable for it.

[Daemonic Daz]

I think the hardest thing to do is to motivate people to actually help you build something. People would rather quest and earn gold then carve their name into a piece of Ziggurat history.

I myself would rather have my characters name remembered as one of the people that helped spearhead a society forming here. I'm sure that if people saw DM's helping out the people that are making a commitment (which is happening), they'll all be swarming to jump in the action. Thinking they'll get custom loot/ DM exp, of course as Mort said. There just isn't enough man hours in the day to go around everyone and help them along.

[Cluckyx]

This will probably sound really cheesy.

 But I've always found good RP to be it's own reward. It's a shame that people are so physical in their desires.

[pyth]

I desire you...physically.

Clucky you secksy beast