DM Quest Spice

[Victor Malvaious]

I just wanted to post here and say that while myself and Lina Luxton (Ashley) are new to this server, having only been here a couple of days, we have enjoyed the "DM Spice" as you all call it, very, very much. Both times have been with DM Mort. Once was simply RP'ing my Cleric burying the bodies of the victims of the spider attack, after everyone else had simply looted them and ran off. I even saw a Paladin in the mix, grabbing whatever she could, and there is even a section under character expectations for Paladin which states, "Will not desecrate the dead in any manner.".

 He aided me in putting out fires, removing webs, burying them, and even creating headstones. It was a great first DM experience.

The second time was today, while doing the quest for the farmers in which you protect their cattle from wolves, he joined in and werewolves began to attack. After, we protected the family from the wolves as well as they held up in a old warehouse. One of the NPC's, "Big John" was killed, and the RP he provided after was actually a bit touching, and you felt a loss for the man, though he was only an NPC.

It was tough for the three of us, and we did use up all of our healing, but we were well rewarded, and far beyond any reward, the experience, and fun we had doing the quest, cannot even be put into words. We have seriously began to consider not going back to our previous server, (Ravenloft) after these times with Mort. And I have played there for six years. Ashley 6 months, as this is her first computer game ever.

So, I'd just like to thank you, Mort, and any other DM's, for the great job you've done. And I hope to do more with you in the future.

[Tarnished_Tulip]

I just wanted to post here and say that while myself and Lina Luxton (Ashley) are new to this server, having only been here a couple of days, we have enjoyed the "DM Spice" as you all call it, very, very much. Both times have been with DM Mort. Once was simply RP'ing my Cleric burying the bodies of the victims of the spider attack, after everyone else had simply looted them and ran off. I even saw a Paladin in the mix, grabbing whatever she could, and there is even a section under character expectations for Paladin which states, "Will not desecrate the dead in any manner.".

 He aided me in putting out fires, removing webs, burying them, and even creating headstones. It was a great first DM experience.

The second time was today, while doing the quest for the farmers in which you protect their cattle from wolves, he joined in and werewolves began to attack. After, we protected the family from the wolves as well as they held up in a old warehouse. One of the NPC's, "Big John" was killed, and the RP he provided after was actually a bit touching, and you felt a loss for the man, though he was only an NPC.

It was tough for the three of us, and we did use up all of our healing, but we were well rewarded, and far beyond any reward, the experience, and fun we had doing the quest, cannot even be put into words. We have seriously began to consider not going back to our previous server, (Ravenloft) after these times with Mort. And I have played there for six years. Ashley 6 months, as this is her first computer game ever.

So, I'd just like to thank you, Mort, and any other DM's, for the great job you've done. And I hope to do more with you in the future.

I think this is a very, very good example of my own POV for EFU. I have played all sorts of servers, but EFU kind of stands out for me. Sure, death is a bitch... a really nasty bitch.. and we all know that... and we want to avoid it, which is why we hoard healing enough to propably save a minor fief each. And while I stated earlier that I like the kinds of spice that do not necesarrily encompass mortal risk, i said so because i like RP. I know a fair share of how to build characters, but i honestly prefer typing rather than frantic button-mashing and mousemolestation. This is what is so great with nwn, you actually get foes you can RP with, things that react. That, to me, is far more interresting than a simple "me smash joo", or whatever it is the orcs prefer to shout nowadays.

I much prefer to subdue a particularily strong orc, watch the others cower as their leader is knocked down, then figure out what the hells is going on, rather than buffing up and crushing them. Sure, the orc -may- not know common, but there are several characters with legitimate reason for knowing orcish... or whichever foe we happen to assail that day.

[Egon the Monkey]

Delayed gratification is good, yes. It's why I like plots where you might lose in the middle of it, but you're pulling yourselves back together because you can see the goal to aim for. Spice however, is a one-shot thing and unless you can see that connection between the spice and a later achievement, it looks from your point of view like some DM is trying to discourage you. Yeah, I know DMs aren't trying to ruin your story, but it's all about perception of what just happened. Thats's where Chez's point comes in. If there's little IC reward then an indication you're moving a plot or an OOC tell that hints you achieved something are important. They serve to either take the sting out the loss, or link future rewards to your past successes because you know there's a DM following your PC, giving him both hard times and good times. It means you're not bitter because you know it's a DM wanting to make things interesting because they like your concept.

Capricious, I've had times where setbacks have drained the PC to the point beyond which he can quest at that level to gain the supplies back. Times where killer spice derailed a plot by frustrating allied PCs into permadeath. Times where I seriously felt that the PC was being targeted so much that I'd rather retire him to play one where I could accomplish something.


The thing about spice that's gone beyond what you'd consider fun is that on EfU, you can't simply walk away and cool off. Unless your PC would ICly run or you've got a good RL reason to go, fair play tends to stop you logging in the middle of the battle to avoid getting into a huff. Unlike a DM quest, you didn't choose to go and may not have wanted a huge challenge when you logged in. Situations like that, people will vent to each other because it makes them feel better and they know quitting will spoil things for everyone else, so they stick to it. It's just a game, after all, but people play games to enjoy themselves. If a DM event leaves a lot of players grumpy, sure the players might need to take it on the chin, but equally it's a sign something's a bit amiss.