NEW/Replace DMs

[lovethesuit]

People seem to like having dm presence for every little thing but efua is set up so that that really isn't a requirement.

It's really important to learn how to do certain things without a DM. Things flow a lot smoother when you can just wing it.

[putrid_plum]

EFU isn't about PvP and playing forum RPG style games.  Sorry, it's just not.  When I am in-game I would like to be able to have DM aid for things or be able to run/do other stuff than quest.

At the current time it is no where near that way.

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

DMing is a tough business, and you'll feel surprisingly isolated when you're at the helm.  If EfU was a ship, think of becoming a DM as a bit like suddenly being taken from being a passenger and going to all these fancy balls/drinking beer with all your buddies, to suddenly being on the bridge, being given the wheel by Captain Howland, and told "yeah, this is how you steer, this is how you navigate, and you're in charge of all those crazed psycho's in the engine room who would think nothing of sinking the ship for shits and giggles.  Have fun!" before he slinks off to the wardroom and spins dits with all his fellow officers, while drinking a smooth perfectini with its oversalted and acrid taste.

I look forward to coming back in mid August.  I am nearly done drinking, pillaging and loving my way through North America.  Keep getting us fresh players from outside of the NwN scene, and take a load off ;)

[Capricious]

The thing that gets DMs wanting to DM more than anything else is seeing players actively RPing, and creating their own plots. That's a simple fact, and it's up to the players to add their own part of this equation. Just sitting and waiting for DMs isn't going to help matters.

[prestonhunt]

Amen to Plum's point.

[Random_White_Guy]

Seeing as someone mentioned two month knee jerk DMing (<_<), thought I'd throw out some more knowledge on the "HEY GET MORE DMS" issue.

At all times there's discussion and otherwise, from what I saw, of people's SoI's and potential recruits. That said though it's a process like any other. Yet it's a process unlike any other. It's hard to appraise who will be a DM and who will not, as Howland said it is a lengthy progress. There's only one way I can think of referencing it:

Being the President of a nation.

You can campaign, you can practice in smaller forms of government, you can figure out ways that you would be great at it, you can convince people, you can make plans... But until you know the state secrets, meet with the ambassadors, get your aides trained, and figure out what is going on with the country on the behind the scenes level you have no idea what's going on.

You can RP, you can quest, you can build factions, you can work DM factions. You can even get to the point of "Man I bet I could be a pretty cool DM". That's the time when you throw your SoI.

The fact of the matter is you still have no idea what's incoming. In a lot of ways its an adventure and a thrill.

The first night I was told, I was up until 3 AM reading the plot-forums and zooming around the module like a coked up weasel trying to take in as much as I could of the new world.

It's a magical job if you have the patience, the creativity, and the desire to contribute to the serve in a great number of ways.

There will be times where it does feel like a job indeed, which is why there's the "Burnout issue". There is also times where it's just as fun as playing if not moreso watching the world grow at your fingertips.

So yes. Throw in an SoI. Worst thing that happens is they find someone else willing or better suited to take the job, and you get to spend time rocking as a player still :D

[ScottyB]

When I am in-game I would like to be able to have DM aid for things or be able to run/do other stuff than quest.

There are things you can do besides quest/PvP without a DM.

Other than faction inductions and the letters forum I don't think any of my EFUA characters made a single DM request; and no, at the time I didn't have any DM powers or access to fulfill my own interests. I was on my own as a player, pushing my own plots with other players.

It's nice to have a DM's help, but some of my favorite DMing has been for people who were all set to go without me, and I wanted to make their day a little better. Auctions, competitions, festivals, sermons, expeditions, plays, interesting research, and that's just getting started. I thought of a few other things that I'd like to pursue myself if I have the time, so I'm keeping that to myself. And there's probably lots I haven't thought of. Surprise us! Engage us.

[Secutor]

Of course Nuke would use a nautical analogy.

[Random_White_Guy]

I'm posting a lengthy guide of "How to show initiative in EFU and rock out hard with or without a DM". Stay tuned to the forums and keep your eyes peeled!

[Damien]

ok ok, i shall step up and dm 4 u guiz

vote griff 4 black dm

p.s. i r not as smart as rwg who was dm and need dmz 2 help think and push me toward epic stuff which is what happened back in the old efu days the fact is though even if dms do disappear but also reappear on a regular basis there is such a massive lack of dm presence. i mean seriously the last time i did a dm quest it turned out it was the new AI talking script on quests >_>

its also unbelievably annoying when a new dm comes then disappears soon after cuz then the old dms are like we just hired a new dm, do we wait for them to come back or hire new dmz? and then there is massive nofingz again

p.t.o

though that being said nwn is dying, maybe we should give into the struggle >_>

[lovethesuit]

Being the President of a nation.

This. This kinda of high drama situation is why we don't have enough DMs. Being President is a very significant task that people work to achieve their entire lives and most of the time still fail. DMing is playing monsters for a bunch of neckbeards who are more likely than not to judge you harshly simply because you're not a player, which you are but try telling them that and see how far you get. Okay, there are similarities with being President but a big issue is that one is a game and the other is NWN. Mind you, this is the most significant RPing experience I've ever come across, but it's still just a game. I'd like to know if the DMs are concerned that by making hasty DMing choices they're somehow making Jesus sad?

Well, I mean, they might be...

[VanillaPudding]

I'm posting a lengthy guide of "How to show initiative in EFU and rock out hard with or without a DM". Stay tuned to the forums and keep your eyes peeled!

That's not really the point. People want DM quests, spice, meta-plots, special events, NPC involvement, and other things that make the world seem more interesting. All of that to go along with loitering behind an RWG character.

[putrid_plum]

VP gets it.

[Random_White_Guy]

Yes VP, everyone does want that.

Everyone also knows that numerous players are avoiding the server because they feel it is boring without a DM. Regular complaints of "No DM on, did quests, bored, logging" are commonplace.

The DMs that are active are doing their thing and moving things along, but PCs have some responsibility to the server too and should be putting in the same effort they expect of the DMs. "Make stuff interesting, spice up questing, have special events, interesting plots", etc.  

There's people like the Ladderman, the Urdlenites, The Dock folk, the Moanderfolk even seem to be coming back strong. If more PCs do like the above groups and take some responsibility and get things moving, more people will join at those times without a DM.

Then after the grooming process and new DMs do get around, or old DMs return from break things will be that much better.

Both in IRC and IC tells with folks I've heard a lot of things along the lines of "Server is dead, get more DMs to entertain us so we will log in" and that's simply just unfair to pretty much everyone on the server.

[Drakill Tannan]

My only complain about the server is that there are no people online, and if they are, god knows where on the sever! nor the docks, not the zig, not the exile's camp. I make a sending for a quest, and there isn't enough people, i want to go explorting and people won't because they get no gold/potions from it, it leaves me with challening a random PC to PvP, wich ends shortlya and then, i just wait... and wait, and wait.

Untill i get bored and log off. More people = more fun. Quests, exploring, a brawl at the wastrel or the city ruins if there is no DM. Muggings, a tournament to see who can hunt the rarest animal or the most orcs... whatver!

It's the people's fault the server is so boring!