EFU/EFU:A DM Played Characters

[Howlando]

Okay boys and girls, I want to explain - in complete, honest detail - what the deal is with EFU DMs playing PCs. Hopefully this post will make clear to everyone just what the policy is regarding this.

I can definitely understand that DM PCs can be a controversial subject for some players. It can be tricky to wear two hats, one of being a DM and being invested with total control and omnipotence - and the other being a PC, with the same limitations as other PCs.

I also am aware that on other servers it can be common for DMs to use their position to make their characters very powerful and abuse their power/position. We don't think doing that as a good idea, so we have an internal code of conduct that I will publicly share here in this post.

First - please let me clarify, I define a DM PC as a character that is being played as a character for the enjoyment of the DM. For various technical reasons a DM may occasionally play a NPC through the player client, this will be done with the DM's main account though and it will be very obvious that it is a NPC probably intended for a specific purpose (i.e. coming up with a NPC for weapon-master duel, or something like that).

Why have DM PCs at all, and are they good for EFU:A?

1 - First let me make it clear, the driving impulse of the creation of EFU was making the perfect server where I would want to play. DM'ing is great fun but I have no doubt that without having the chance to play on my own server EFU would not exist as a fun place for anyone

2 - DMs spending time as PCs is a great way to reduce DM-burnout. DM-burnout is, in my opinion, probably among the biggest challenges EFU has faced. Pretty much without exception the only DMs who stick around for a long time are those who enjoy playing the server as well in addition to DM'ing. Having happy, involved, de-stressed DMs is essential for the health of the server and enjoyment of everyone. Furthermore, many DMs prefer playing and - if given a choice between strictly DM'ing and strictly playing - would probably choose playing.

3 - Playing PCs makes DMs better DMs. This is true in any number of ways. For example, you miss an incredible amount from the perspective of the DM Client. You miss out on what is too hard, what is too frustrating, what is too easy.... you might miss out on what characters may be rocking out and deserve some DM love. Basically, playing a PC sometimes is essential for truly understanding the server - and truly understanding the server is essential for good DM'ing.

4 - Playing PCs inspires us to build a world that is more fun to play in. Occasionally playing really inspires DMs to make stuff that is fun, the sort of fun stuff that we ourselves would want to do as a player. And it inspires us to actually FINISH it and make sure it is polished.

5 - The vast majority of DM PCs are not particularly distinguished PCs. Maybe they die early on to PvP. Maybe they have a crappy death on a quest. Probably most just get abandoned, or forgotten - just like most normal PCs. But occasionally a DM PC is an excellent, dynamic presence in the server. Sometimes a DM PC even turns into, dare I say, a major influence on the server or supervillain. I think most players would agree that these characters generally make the world more fun. It my honest preference for the most important characters at any one time to be played by non-DMs, but considering that Dms are generally selected from among the best players it is not surprising that occasionally a DM PC will end up being an important, renowned character that contributes to the enjoyment of the playerbase as a whole.

How do we self-police regarding DM PCs?

OK, so we want some DM PCs. But obviously we need some guidelines to keep things fair. I don't want to claim that DM PCs don't have any advantages, but I think generally things are quite fair and I hope you guys will agree.

So here are our guidelines:

1 - First, DMs can not give themselves loot, gold, XP, etc. This means that we start at level 2 like everybody else, and have to do the exact same scripted quests/etc. to advance our characters. Note: occasionally a DM may give themselves a custom looking (mundane) outfit, or non-magical "flair" item. This is rare but in the interests of complete disclosure I am mentioning it. This isn't anything beyond what we might do for players if they request it and if we are bored.

In the history of EFU, there were a handful of incidents a few years ago where DMs (no longer part of our team) gave their characters some loot. This was addressed at the time and I do not think will happen again. Again, this happened years ago but in the interests of full disclosure I am mentioning it.

2 - DM PCs are subject to the same basic rules and guidelines as everyone else; we are not "special" in any way. A DM PC is still just a PC. Players are not punished if they - for example - legitimately kill a DM PC. In fact, they might be rewarded for it.

DM PCs still have to deal with the same crap as everyone else - respawning from crappy deaths, struggling to get enough supplies to survive, etc.

3 - If we want to play a special subrace/join a faction/earn a prestige class, an app should be written and in the case of the faction/prestige class it must be earned IG the same way as everyone else.

4 - DM PCs receive loot the same way as all other PCs do, either from scripted quests or as a reward from another DM. Loot for DM PCs is in the same range as the other loot we make. Occasionally outstanding DM PCs will get outstanding loot, but this loot has been earned and is no more outstanding than the loot given to other (non-DM) PCs.

5 - DMs can not "dm for themself." For example, if there's some kind of conflict involving a DM PC, a PC, and a NPC - the DM who plays the DM PC can not possess the NPC in relation to that matter. DMs should try as best as they are able to keep the sphere of their DM'ing separate from the sphere of their playing.

Now, I don't want to deny that there are some advantages to DM PCs. For example, I consider everyone on the DM team to be a friend of mine who I enjoy playing with, whose characters I tend to enjoy, and who I want to make sure are having fun with EFU whether they are DM'ing or playing. So although I will be very fair about it, I will definitely not ignore a DM PC in my DM'ing and will be glad to DM for them if it comes up. I do want to emphasize, though, that the form of this DM'ing is very far from coddling and often will be harsher and tougher than DM'ing for most players.

Furthermore, DMs tend to know the server very well. Although obviously we do not metagame, DM PCs will generally have the same advantages as very experienced veteran players.

There's also the advantage of having a clear sense of what the server needs right now, what sort of characters best make sense, and making a character to address that need.

But, believe me - you should pity DM PCs more than envy them. I truly believe the disadvantages outweigh the advantages.

First - as a DM PC, you miss out on entire aspects of the server that are really fun. You're unlikely to see DM PCs that rely intensely on another DM's involvement. The fun of probing mysteries of the setting tends to be denied to us. Etc.

And maybe most importantly, we generally have to hide who we are. I have personally abandoned characters I genuinely enjoyed because players learned that I was playing them, and spread this knowledge around. Basically - because of the decision players made to not respect our rule/request not to disclose the secret identities of anyone, I could no longer play my character. I certainly didn't enjoy that. So please, respect the wishes of anyone who wishes to play anonymously, and do not sleuth out identities - and if you do, do not spread that information.

So there you have it.

I hope this addresses any questions players might have had or wondered about it, and seems fair. If anyone has any comments, or questions, feel free to make them.

[Howlando]

I also wish to add -

All DMs must agree to spend 20% of their NWN energy/time doing DM related tasks (i.e. just can't play exclusively), and I also wish to emphasize that the actions of a DM PC should always be considered as the actions of that PC - and having nothing to do with the DM as a DM or anything to do with the DM team.

And just for fun, here are some of the unmemorable PCs I have personally played. Bonus points to anyone who actually remembers them.

Geldum Sveidt (first PC in EFU)
Ephram Retch
Ardukian Long
Jory Mendlegnack
Koorong Konoolo
Lespacion the Leper
Utzilak Denwatch
Yorum Shepherd
Rollo Ygrim
Folkle Burrowman
Zamora Qhyzen
Maziki Ru
Jasper Blackpool
Yosa Yesh
Salvator Cook
Yogg (the Silent)
...etc.

[Gippy]

Ukakuse
Julius Stich
Ixarious Galver
Ferris Burby
Murien Keese
Mern Stormfist
Erigor Zirkin
Hagen Raines
Kathazar Halzen
Harrison Farchild
Gaffle Hamfoodle
Ardul`ryla Noquzynge
...etc.

[DeputyCool]

Thadrillion Mef'arion
Daeryn Baranoth
Kreehalla
Jon Kovacks
Eryk Valesmith
Kazluk Sekhmet
Gundhram Erykson
Seamus Galvin
Rengarth Keraphorn
Ralemvik Iltzorya
Baelgyr
Nicolae Aleski
Jeremiah Caldazar
Mikhail Barsava
Tyathalae Orleurdrin
Ahtrylr D'winaear

[Drakill Tannan]

For one, i like the idea of more DM played PCs. One, because it allows the DMs to understand the server better, and two, because we want you guys to have fun as well.

I'd in fact love to se DMs playing and DMing at the same time, have them play a PC through the DM client (as an NPC) and using it to lead/start plots among less experienced players who have no idea how to get such things started (like, me). Because the DM PC might spice it's own quests, PvP normally and interact with NPCs, i think this would be a great idea to teach new players what they can do as PCs to have fun in the server.

[Cluckyx]

I wasn't aware DMs playing PCs was a problem :(

[Ranek]

DMs are supposed to be examples to players while logging as a player. So, how can this ever be a bad thing? I also agree, they 'work for free' to make the server fun, very fair that they get to enjoy it!

[Loghaire]

I wasn't aware DM's played as PC's :S

[Luke Danger]

DMs have PC's?!

OMG WTF!

:P

[9lives]

Earas Nightstar was a motherfuckin' werewolf.

[Snoteye]

You're not supposed to troll, 9lives. Bad DM.

[Barehander]

I'd in fact love to se DMs playing and DMing at the same time, have them play a PC through the DM client (as an NPC) and using it to lead/start plots among less experienced players who have no idea how to get such things started (like, me). Because the DM PC might spice it's own quests, PvP normally and interact with NPCs, i think this would be a great idea to teach new players what they can do as PCs to have fun in the server.

This would go a bit far. I wouldn't even trust myself with it, to be honest: it's easy to lose perspective and impossible to be objective in regards to your own PC, in the very moment of playing. It has nothing to do with strength of character, but simply the fact that you're purposefully set into your own perspective when you play. You're not in DM mode, and you can't (be expected to) be mindful of all the sides of the issue when you're enjoying your own character. It would also confuse the roles of DM NPCs and DM PCs, and probably defeat the purpose of DMs taking some time off playerside. Furthermore, it wouldn't appear fair or transparent, and it's bad for overall enjoyment that the playerbase thinks the DM team is non-transparent, unfair or self-serving, even if that wasn't the case.

But yes: in my experience, having DMs play their PCs actively is one of the best guarantees of a motivated team in tune with the moods of the playerbase. Personally, I'm much more suspicious of servers where DMs don't play, because they lack any legitimate say in player matters. Maybe it's just what I've gotten used to, but I like it this way.

[Kiaring]

I know some people have problems with this; I personally don't, and rather enjoy my own suspicions of a certain DM having played a certain character, but I will never share this knowledge first because I cannot be absolutely certain, second because of the reasons Howland already mentioned.

And the reason I do this ties into what has been discussed; some of our DMs are players I love to interact with IC. They are amazing roleplayers who tend to make things better for those around them. Keep enjoying EfU, is the only thing I will ever "demand" of a DM...

Unless it's DangerousDan. Then I reserve the right to demand whatever I want! >_> <_<

PS: Lespasian the Leper was awesome. I always knew.

[PlayaCharacter]

The fun of probing mysteries of the setting tends to be denied to us.

This is the number one reason I would not want to DM on EfU. I don't even understand how you all can stand it. You're giving up the best reason to play here in order to let us play here.

All I can say about that is: thanks.

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

Governor Erasmus Otred. Nough said.