Licenses and Requirements

[Blue41]

When I started concepting my current character, I was looking to give a character based in Upper Sanctuary a try, because I thought there was some potential for conflict considering all of the laws and restrictions set in place. You're not allowed to do a lot!...but you're also allowed to do some things that were either barely or not tolerated at all back in what I remember of Sanctuary, and that's summoning devils, demons, undead, spirits, etc. as long as you obtain a license.

I can't speak for anyone else that's been in my position, but I was told that to get my license, I would need to prove myself worthy of trust, and display an investment in Sanctuary in some way. As requirements go, it's vague but not out of the question to ask for something like that. The problem is that I now have a character whose main offensive arsenal is a criminal offense to cast. When I choose to quest, I find myself in situations where casting without the dubious protection of a piece of paper can save my life and my party's, but also land me in prison. I am now playing EFU: Handicap mode, as a lawful conjurer who cannot conjure unless I'm willing to take my original concept in a different direction. I'm trying to deal with the matter ICly, and pursue the license by going down a different road, but I can't help but feel like my concept is spinning its wheels- and it doesn't have to be that way.

I'm not saying that getting one of these licenses should be easy or common. I do think that there if there is some specific guidelines for obtaining one, some common process for anyone who wants one, then it should be made public so that anyone who wants to go down that road has some idea of what's in store for them, and can plan accordingly.

It feels contradictory to open up the possibility for rivalries, disagreements, etc. in Upper Sanctuary by making it legal w/ license to animate the dead, and then lock it behind some nebulous requirement.

[The Band Played On]

From what I see, the issue is in large part due to there being very few PCs responsible for granting these licenses. And if you're in the wrong timezone, or if those PCs (who's numbers are always in flux) aren't available ingame for a time, your bid for a license can become set on the backburner, or even forgotten.

I'm honestly not certain how to help this issue while still requiring the PCs to put in a little work to get them. Maybe, as you said, a more clearly defined method and set of requirements would help, so that once you've fulfilled them you don't go to a different PC (because the initial one is no longer available) and get told you need to prove yourself all over again.

[Howlando]

Summoning devils, demons, and the undead should be a big deal, guys! I would personally find it quite immersion breaking and terrible if every day old PC was wandering through Freedom Square with a troupe of devils or zombies.

[Howlando]

Furthermore, I find playing such concepts to be vastly more enjoyable if it's the sort of thing that is done hidden, out of sight, and with the utmost care... never sure if a paladin or goodly group will stumble on you and (rightfully) execute you for your depraved actions.

Making these summons mundane would necessitate also decreasing their power level, and really just detract from the whole flair.

[Blue41]

They're absolutely a big deal, and I don't think they should ever be commonplace. But in that case, why is there any kind of allowance for them in the law book at all? If a license makes it possible-and legal- for a PC to stroll in from the dark with zombies/devils/shadows in tow, day old or not, why leave that possibility open?

Maybe it's on me that I was confused- had I known then what I knew now, I'd likely be going about my concept in a much different way.

[Howlando]

Licenses for super evil things like summoning devils and the undead is the sort of thing that is, entirely by design, a very difficult thing to achieve. And would also likely be paired with IC restrictions about use, for example doing your "research" only in restricted areas and away from the populace at large. Kind of like how in the US you can theoretically buy a license to grow heroin, but it's not very easy.

Maybe the problem is lack of clarity about this? I sort of assumed it was obviously not something you could just buy easily from a NPC, as of course every new player who wants to be Joe the Demon Lord would then be taking advantage of it, but I can see how it might be frustrating if you wanted to play a public infernalist and are not finding it easy to do so.

- changing your theme for normal questing is certainly an option!

[PlayaCharacter]

I'll just say that I abandoned my necromancer PC once I realized how much trouble and bother it would be to fulfill the IC requirements to become licensed without risking ending my character at level 5, rendering all that effort moot. When you add up all the obstacles, there isn't a very clear path to obtaining both survivability and legality at the same time. I was required to make reports on my progress and I wasn't making any progress.

I just figured I'd wait and try again when either a group concept comes along or until there emerges a safer place for low level necromancers to get established. Or, maybe my concept was simply unworkable in this setting. Whatever the case, the uphill climb to success was too steep for me and I'm having a lot more fun with my current PC.

It really seems like the best time to get the license is after you've gotten on your feet, not before. My little lowbie necro was getting slaughtered on quests without the ability to summon.

[Dredi]

I am actually, currently playing a velsharoonite necromancer and find it quite fun, the spirit based undead license is fairly easily obtained, the animation one is very notably and considerably harder. But, the law doth say in sanctuary only

[Master of Puppets]

This may be off topic but kinda relevant. Playing a knightly sort of PC, would I have to restrain from killing another PC if I caught them with undeads or demons due to OOC restrictions? Not much build up of conflict if a knight of helm rolls up on a necro in the ruins....

[The Band Played On]

The solution is to not kill them, but bring them to the Watch for prosecution. Necromancy isn't a capital crime in Sanctuary, and as a Helmite is lawful there's no reason he wouldn't abide by the laws.

Of course there's the risk that the Watch would simply set them free with a warning or whatever, but does that really matter on an OOC level? You've extended any potential conflict, and that's a good thing.

[xXCrystal_Rose]

Or be so intimidating and threatening that they are too scared to do it again. Let them off with a violent warning that makes them look over their shoulders and question if their companions will rat them out or not, knowing if anyone catches them they have YOU to answer to, and you won't be so 'nice' the second time!

[Nuclear Catastrophe]

it should be a big deal to be a necromancer or infernalist, and I am utterly amazed that people think otherwise.  I think it is a completely legitimate reason for any PC to kill your characters, absolutely.  Their taboo nature is the fun part of it for me, not going around legitimately with hordes of undead and demons, questimg it up with best buds halfling rogue roger and billy barbarian

[domare]

A manual such as this should be issued to every necromancer who purchases a license.  Should clear up most questions.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JanNI9aqrq4

[PlayaCharacter]

Their taboo nature is the fun part of it for me, not going around legitimately with hordes of undead and demons, questing it up with best buds halfling rogue roger and billy barbarian

This is also part of the difficulty curve, too; there were maybe two or three characters I could have quested with, and yes, I felt like I had a huge target on my back.

On a scale of one to "kill it now," necromancers are basically one step above monster race PCs. If you get caught in the act, especially outside NPC areas, other players can and will kill you outright and there's not much you can do to stop them. Even many evil PCs won't tolerate necromancy.

[Howlando]

Sounds about right to me!