"Levels don't matter"

[Jagged]

Slightly off-topic, but...

I achieved level 10 once before and was told by the DMs that the character didn't deserve it's level. I felt pretty disgruntled by it because it was a PC that was in everyone's face off the bat. He took immense risks that could of gotten him perma'd, making long term enemies of people as soon as level four and I had felt like he was my most successful PC to date, as nearly everyone he met had some kind of strong opinion about him.

What it seemed that the staff didn't approve of was that he wasn't the leader type, which I see an overemphasis on. Some characters are made to be henchmen, even if they are reckless, chaotic and bullheaded. To penalize players for appropriately and consistently playing their PC's stats is something that I never understood. It's as if what we're all being pushed to play high charisma characters who spend most of their IG time recruiting and their offline time making colorful posters on the forums.

My concern isn't that the character didn't get recognition by the staff for accomplishments and "shaking things up" but rather that he was penalized for not playing the charismatic brown-nosing lady's man sort, seeming to have forgotten the immense risks he took to get where he was. Perhaps it's my own fault for not ever using the personal character notes forum...

/rant over

[The Beggar]

Just wanted to apologize again for the rageyness of the post haha.

Never apologize for something that entertained me. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get back to ruling my street corner.

[NecropolisV]

Kinslayer i would full heartedly agree with you however people who are not pvp fanatics fall prey to those who are... I was walking around outside of town when i was in a heated argument with another, this guy of mine was a noob and this one much higher level.. after some insults we shared he charged me and beat me senseless... robbed me of what little i had and left... It's not being a pvp fanatic or a quester when simply its nice to be a little higher level so those who love pvp don't just come along and bash you.

[Potionmaster]

I achieved level 10 once before and was told by the DMs that the character didn't deserve it's level.

It seems that this has been the case for a few players; if this is the case I would suggest that every level beyond 8th should become application based, rather than 10th.

[The Beggar]

There is a cross over point at which the DMs look on the high level characters to push the story of the sever in meaningful ways - this has always been the case since the early days of EfU.

Howland has made posts explaining that with high levels comes great responsibility. Similar to being Spiderman.

But, different DMs look on this in different ways. If you have achieved a high level and get that sort of conversation, remember that the DM is human, and may not be displaying Tact. Ask them to clarify their goal of the conversation, and turn it into a collaborative effort to improve your very (mechanically) powerful character. It may be that you feel you've done a great job, but have missed some things the DMs have expected.

Also, DMs tend to be reactive in this (ie, oh shit, he's reached level 10 and maxed everything out, best give him "the talk") vs proactive (woah, this character is on a serious level rise - I had best pull him aside now and figure out what is going on, and collaborate on how to really improve the story here).

[Ebok]

It seems that this has been the case for a few players; if this is the case I would suggest that every level beyond 8th should become application based, rather than 10th.

Applications of all kinds are a very serious Ugh to many players. It is done only when it is absolutely necessary, this is partly because there can be a long delay between the sent and received date. However, for a lot of people its because it's simply not fun. If you want to control levels, maybe this works, or maybe its senseless bureaucracy.

That said making it every level beyond 8th and not just at 8th level would be a screaming pile of redundancy. I couldnt imagine waiting even after your character got approved to be wanded to unlock the level up. And if you died? >_>; Serious questions better be asked.

[Howlando]

I don't recall ever telling any player that they didn't deserve up to level 10, but it is true that we reserve the right to restrict level 11+ via application. I think out of respect for players, it's best to have conversations about particular characters and playstyles in private with DMs which I would be happy to do.