Somewhat dissatisfied

[grokan]

I have to admit to being somewhat dissatisfied in general with the way things are on the server for mid-level.

For example, Alaria spent hours alone in the minotaur labyrinth or always with the same couple of others to reach level 10. And the reason I had to go there alone is because Alaria couldn't get anyone to invite her to any level appropriate places with people who would also be level approprate for the area in question. So she went to the only level appropriate place she knew of to "cleanse the ruins of her people of the beastmen infestation". A thin RP excuse, at best. Now she hasn't made any headway into 11, because again, nobody will invite her to any level appropriate places with people that are also level appropriate for the area in question, and now I can't see the minotaur lair as being level appropriate and have no alternate place to grind.

Yes, grind. Because sitting on my duff all day staring at the isinhold square RPing with the few people who walk by and are willing to talk to her gets BORING after a while.

Now I've got Miina, who I've decided will not be doing such things alone all the time. She's sat around in Isinhold for the last two weeks and gained no experience because she won't travel alone.

I understand this is an RP server. And yes, I do stay in character at all times. Yes, I will sometimes make an OOC comment or two, always either in tells or with the // prefix, and not very often. But NWN is also an action/adventure game. And I'm not getting any of that action/adventure mixed in with my RP.

It's fun for me, I'll give it that, to be able to log into a game where people aren't behaving as in the typical RPG. Examples:

"7 cleric LFG"
"STFU n00b"
"OMG you gotz teh +5 vropal swrod! Can I haev it plz"
"Spare some moniez for a n00b plz"

I love being able to log in, and NEVER see such tripe. The characters I play with are fun and interesting to be around, and I hope my characters are fun and interesting to be around as well. But I also enjoy the action/adventure part of the game, I like to see my level increase, and I enjoy seeing that little number that indicates my experience constantly shift favorably.

If I'm asking for something that does not fit in with the DM's vision of the server, please let me know. Yes, I do enjoy RP, but I want to see new things in the server as well. Not just sit around in Isinhold and hope someone will take a few minutes out of their... whatever they're doing to chat with me for a few moments.

Please, someone tell me if I'm asking for too much, or if there's something I'm doing horribly wrong.

[SlothfulCat]

Only advice I can give you is this...

1.) be more outgoing: If this means shifting your PCs to being a more friendlier type... well, its what gets you aquainted with others.

2.) be the leader: Why wait for a group boudn somewhere when you can wrangle one up on your own?

3.) new places: pick a direction, caravan as far as you've been in that direction... then slowly searching area by area in that same direction until you run out of Server.... it works great to adventure,in a way that equates to actually going out and adventuring instead of fighting a known foe.

[Artemisa]

avieupator said:

1.) be more outgoing: If this means shifting your PCs to being a more friendlier type... well, its what gets you aquainted with others.

Just this one alone is a very good advice. I have two main PCs here on FRC - one extremely outgoing elf and a more 'reserved' bard. (Yeah. 'Reserved' bard. ) and it's not difficult to make out who gets to adventure the most.

And sometimes, even if it's not in the characters nature to normally do so, you just have to try and be the first to break the ice with new people and simply ask directly if a group heading out might be in need of assistance etc etc.

And if you find yourself alone AGAIN in Isinhold, we all know how exhaustingly boring that can be, it is OK (in my book at least) to send a tell to a friend and bluntly ask if he/she would be up for some travelling/hooking up on the road.

Good luck!

[Talus]

Yep, all good advice, and you are not alone. I find myself not adventuring as much as I would like frequently. I also notice it goes in cycles the longer you play.

[DM Grizwald]

I know exactly what you mean. My lvl 10 char just died 4 times and is now back down to practically 0 xp. Now I've gone through the mid lvl before with Padrin and its a really hard stage.

Being outgoing helps, but it doesnt alway get the job done. You really just kind of have to stick it out. If your worried about DM attention and xp, rp your heart out and eventually it will come. It might not come right away but it will all balance out in the end. I can go weeks before getting any kind of DM rp xp or even a coversation with a PC but when it happens it pays off in the end.

The fastest way to get through the mid lvls are to keep with a party. Find a good group of friends and stick with them. The other thing is rp xp. This is pretty much the quickest way to any sort of xp cause once you get it, it'll keep coming.

[cloakedandhooded]

grokan said:

Now I've got Miina, who I've decided will not be doing such things alone all the time. She's sat around in Isinhold for the last two weeks and gained no experience because she won't travel alone.

I know how you feel regarding the mid-levels and finding people to party with. My character has been mid-levels forever. He is level 12 and I've been playing him for 17 months. The character is not of a disposition that facilitates meeting new people and everyone he used to keep company with has far out-leveled him. I actually don't have an objection to travelling with them despite their significantly higher levels, but finding them is incredibly difficult. It is prohibitively expensive to travel around looking for people in the towns only to realize that they're out stomping around somewhere where I have no hope of reaching them alive. (*cough*Hullack*cough*)

So mostly I linger around Isinhold until I feel the walls of the village closing in on me, then I wander around the countryside or pick a direction and try to go there. Redmist used to be good for meeting characters of comparable level, but due to the current laws in Redmist, that is no longer true.

This evening I visited Isinhold, Shallybrook, Suzail, Eveningstar, Espar, and Skull Crag. I saw a couple people in Isinhold but nobody but NPCs anywhere else.

[Artemisa]

Where's the fun in playing a roleplaying game if you don't find any company to actually roleplay with?

Feel free to drop me a tell should either of you see me online with Esmeralda or Nimras'elen (Both around level 7) and I'm willing to try and hook up for some fun, if the personalities don't crash completely.

[Panros]

I understand where you are coming from Grokan, the areas do seem to be over or under balanced for characters between levels ten and fourteen, and things never seem to happen during the mid-level blues. However, the advice given will definitely help you find friends to help you overcome your mid-levels. I'm always for RPing with anyone of any level, and if the level permits, I'm always for traveling. Send a tell my way next time you are bored. My character names are in my signature. *waves* Bye, bye!

[DM Justicar - Creator of FRC]

I would say that the issue is not that there aren't enough areas for levels 10-14... I can think of a myriad ranged for those levels. Probably around half the module is geared toward those level ranges.

You guys might want to try exploring more and bashing the module less.

[EDM Entori]

I found it when I was starting entori that 8-12 were brutal.. I think one day I just got sick of seeing characters who had circles and my current circle of liaden aria max kyrion and the yven/marn convo were all squabling at each other.. and I'm sure I missed people or messed up that group.

...so one day I walked into an inn with beloril and a few people.. sat down and started talking. and best Beloril is thickheaded.. had to invite myself along practically. met torgier along the way.. and other folks..

I know most of the familiar faces on the server, not many new ones. I find myself either too high a level.. too low a level.. or being a pdk wannabe gets in the way, but I mean the sever has a 10 level gap for a reason, sure you may have to put mina in the back of everyone with a crossbow.. and do no damage what so ever.. but RP wise thats learning. how many folks put up with a low level ent wandering on behind them.. Wynter's user knows about it.

Even Alaria is level 10 now I think I found out.. I know its not her style.. but sticking to a bow and letting a few people like Kain and kelric mop up does wonders, sure your not on the front.. but you never know when they will fall and you will save the day. I made a thread called getting out of isinhold when I was having a similar problem. Also I think there is very little of the newer characters staying around.. and I will endeaver to start talking to new peeps more. but I know of many of Alarias circle that are not around..

it sucks.. but heck Xp comes and goes. and just having action for little xp and fun roleplay is great. I mean I love Alaria and mina's characters.. I have some Great times especially when Alaria was new. it was fun.

Offically rambling again

but thats my personal experiences... your at the phase where most people give up.. if you hang in there, dm's notice.. and drop a balor on you or something

[kaltorac]

I have to admit ... the first time Bel and Ent travelled together .. the initial hesitation on my part was the level disparity. Before and since though with that character and others I've tried just to interact based on other characters RP..... forget your OOC knowledge of levels and ask yourself IC if characters around you are the type you would enjoy RPing with. Each new PC you interact with will bring you into a closer assosiaction with others. Most of the folks Beloril adventures with are those that were friends of friends at one time and some I would never have met had it not been for tagging along with a higher level PC occasionaly even though I new there would be little or no xp involved. The higher level PC's will by sheer time ingame know more PC's and expand your travelling partner choices by their introducing you to others. ........ I'm rambling myself know ... hope it helped some though.

[wynter]

hell im always up for exploreing and finding lost crypts and cities just bump into wynter anytime you see me standing around ;D and well see what trouble we can get into

[Myth]

I'll agree mostly with what has been said already. Most important is to get to know other characters and go exploring with them. When I was in mid-levels I used to travel with Davros' char Lynarra and even though she was of higher level not only did I get to know most of the places on the server (thanks Dav) but through Lynarra Doust met a ton of other folks that he later travelled with.

On another note, with my chars whenever the chance comes up I always take it to travel with people that are way higher level than me. In reality many of the best and most interesting trips I've had with my characters where trips I'd get no XP for but a lot of nice roleplay.

Wish you the best of luck and hope you get over it soon and continue having fun on this really great server.

[moulinous]

With all the changes, there are many many areas geared towards these levels from 10th to 14th. Without doing spoilers, there are several around the smaller villages and some in out of the way places. I know me and some lower levels attempted the mines of esper the other day and where doing fine until the lag beast hit last night and crashed the server. And that area is a hard area. And it took me a bit of convincing them to go. I have noticed a moe fear of branching out and risk taking on the server than anything else and that is our player base not the server itself. Some people say Guldar is crazy for the things he tries and yes, sometimes he is....but damm people, you are ADVENTUERERS...not sit-in-Isnhold-and-contruibite to-laggers! Go somewhere new, and if need be, run! Run if you bite off more than you chew....no shame in living to fight another day. Even a paladin can run if rped right....if i die, knowledge of this evil dies with me, i must escape type thingy. There are hidden places everywhere....outside Redmist, Waymoot, Dhedulk...there are tombs and even Dragonmere is still a viable place. Just get out and do, and once you find these places, guess what...other players will start wnting to see them too once you start talking about them. They will also come with you to see these elven ruins, this bandit hold, these wild women of the woods....and if they dont, screw them...move on and find a new group.

[grokan]

Well, I've had a weekend to think about it and cool off... and I've decided, i'm not going anywhere.

When I posted my last message, I was of the mindset of "I've spent a few months on the server now, and dammit, i'm not getting anywhere."

My mindset now is closer to "I've spent a few months on the server now, and dammit, I'm not going to give up on that."

Yeah, it's frustrating dealing with other peoples' circles, and even more frustrating that most of Alaria's circle has left (I miss you Silvermoons... Annie) or changed characters, or were an alt character to begin with. Now I've got Miina that never had a circle to speak of to begin with... It's been tough. But I'm gonna stick it out. I didn't just put three months into playing on the server to hang my hat now.

Another part of the problem, is Alaria has only been invited to a few places. I can name them off the top of my head. Gnoll caves, kobold den, Orc cave, Redmist northern crypts (before Redmist rebelled), and Redmist eastern crypts (which she has never taken anyone up on because of the presence of Rust Monsters, which she has been warned away from IC). And the Hullack, but always along with characters that give her little or no experience. Some have mentioned other places, but have never actually invited Alaria along to one of them. Combine this with Alaria's tendency to die whenever she explores somewhere new... Yeah. Alaria doesn't know many places to go, and is afraid to go exploring on her own.

Anyway, I'm not planning to leave... not yet. I guess level 10 can be considered an accomplishment, so I'm not just going to throw that away.

[ShadowCatJen]

I'm speaking as a player and not a DM right now, so please take anything that is said here as my personal opinions and not as a viewpoint of the crew.

I've been playing on an off FRC for more then a year now. More on, then off, really. I have two main characters that I play and one of them not that frequently. My highest level character is Mynian who've I've played since March of '06. She's level 11. My other character is Marichelle who've I've played since February of '06. She is still level 1 (purposefully).

When I hear someone that has the opinion that they either aren't gaining enough XP or can't find places to go out and get said XP I tend to get.... agitated. As I said, I've played a little bit over a year now on the server. My highest level character is level 11 and she's been level 11 for three months. I've seen people that have been here for less then two months pass up my highest level character with not just one, but two characters they play.

Now, I know that I don't play on the server as much as other people have the opportunity to. I've a job to see to, a house to upkeep, and just life in general to live. I don't have all day to play like some apparently do. So, on that level I can understand why it would be that someone who's been on the server a shorter time would bypass my character in levels.

However, it still doesn't stop the pang of jealousy I feel when someone I met two weeks ago who was five levels below me is now two levels above me. My so called "veteran" character is now a plebe to someone who's played on the server for all of two months.

... don't complain about the XP your not getting. Complain about the roleplay you might not be getting. Complain about the lack of roleplay interaction you might not be seeing from some newer players. Complain that you feel your character has not seen any maturation and you need help with rounding out your PCs personality. But not about the XP.

Personally, anybody who's not been here longer then five months who already has a near epic level character has to work three times as hard to convince me that they're any sort of decent roleplayer. Elitist of me? Yes, but only because that's the same sort of stipulation I put on myself. The level does not make the character, the persona makes the character. His quirks and his likes or dislikes, not the fact that he has access to high level metamagic feats or can sneak attack a hostile for 80+ damage.

That's my rant and I'm sticking to it.

[Booze Hound]

and like Justi said, there are a CRAP load of places geared toward those level ranges, you just have to explore the INSANELY HUGE module more.

[DM Justicar - Creator of FRC]

Think of it this way... if there are 10 main settlements on FRC that means there are around 50-60 supporting areas for each settlement... do the math and you will quickly realize you probably haven't seen a massive portion of what FRC has to offer.

Um, yeah, you bet not many adventures originate from Isinhold... get out there!

[ShadowCatJen]

Yes, -very- huge.

Those of us in Chapter Azure have been attempting to go through every area in the means to map and explore... well... everything we can get to. We've only got to explore three areas, tops, and we're already getting a sence of the huuuuuuuuuuge task ahead of us.

Oh... and if you're afraid of dying and having to respawn take a cue from moulinous. Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead. It's only XP.

[moulinous]

shadowcatjen said:

Yes, -very- huge.

Oh... and if you're afraid of dying and having to respawn take a cue from moulinous. Damn the torpedoes and full speed ahead. It's only XP.

actully i said do not be afraid of the risk of dying as you are an adventuerer and also do not be afraid of RUNNING as sometimes you will...and you will hafta to run really reallly really fast....death itself should matter as our pcs have no way of knowing that their players in rl can respawn them, so it is not the xp, it is the risk that our proffession as adventurers should be willing to risk. but yeah, LOL, Guldar is a damm the torpedos, it is only a big lizard with a gas problem approach....*shakes head*crazy arse dwarf...if it makes you feel better, i have been playing Guldar since 2005 and am just now closing in on 17th level...and i would argue that Guldar is one of the most widley known pcs on the server becuase he is who he is....levels are not everything as i have come to figure out, and have been here before. many of the felelrs here pointed out something to me, that being famous and a part of something is really cool in itself. heck, King Bruenor is only a 12th level fighter...Drizzit is only 16th...epic is what you make it.

[EDM Entori]

*reads grokans last*

Damn... we need to get her out of isinhold more often. *cheers in her 'refound' spirit* Thats the attitude, its also why I won't buy NWN 2 until FRC goes offline I poured too much time into it as it is.

We'll see you in game Girl! we'll do some exploring. I think everyone made good points, and well I'm taking it on as a person mission to help get you out more. Ents got his eyes in ears in everyone, can't be hard to introduce you to everyone. ..well most of..

anways like I said see you in game

enty

[Savage]

I have had all sides of these feelings since I have been here going on now six months. I have written up a few Rants on XP vs. RP. Adventuring vs. Intrigue. None of which I ever post. I have come to one simple over powering conclusion. I ask myself am I having fun doing this? If I can’t answer yes, then I go do something else. I used to solo when I couldn’t find someone in the first few minutes. Now the bottom line for me is that if I go soloing its because I haven’t sent enough tell’s asking for people my level to travel with. I usually take a gander at the player list before entering and see who is within 3 levels of my character. Then start sending tell’s to them. I make a point of never begging to play with someone and I never ask more than once. If I send someone a tell saying. “Hey you busy?” and I don’t get a response back along the lines. Nope, just sitting here board. Then I let it go. I figure NO ONE gets annoyed getting one tell asking if they are busy if they do they usually come back rude. I write that person off and don’t send them tells for a long time. If I don’t get a hook up in a few minutes I look around Isnhold for new players. If I find a bunch there I login with my new characters and join them. It’s rare that I don’t find someone to do something with. When I don’t find anyone. I work on posting screen shots or go get another beer and post junk on the forums. As for me, anyone who is playing alone for any reason can send me a tell and if I am free enough to play you will be invited along. I never get annoyed or angry when someone asks me. I always try to reply even if it’s just to say I am too busy right now.

I also vary my list. It’s easy to get in the tendency to send the same few people tells every time you log in and quit just because that small group is busy. Think about it this way. Have you ever gotten a tell from someone you never meet? Did it piss you off or did you think hmm someone new to talk to? As long as you don’t take it personal that someone says I am to busy for you right now then you can do this every time and usually end up enjoying yourself. Before long you won’t be able to login without people sending you tells asking if you are busy.

So hear me now. Hoot will be exploring a different map new to him every night this week! If you have a character around 10 to 18th level lets go get some!

[cloakedandhooded]

Dear Abby,

I haven't read anyone saying anything ill about the module in this thread. My complaint is not that the module doesn't have enough. If anything, the module has too much, but I'm not going to say that.

The problem is not finding places to go. There are lots of places to go. There just aren't enough people to go there with. Everyone is already off going "places". All the high levels, which tends to be just about everyone who has played for two months, are in the Hullack or off in their secret cabals while the low levels are busy in the Isinhold Crypts or the Ruins or the well. Redmist was a decent spot to meet mid-level characters before but roleplay is a limiting factor.

The frustration is not that the module is inadequete, the frustration is that so much time is spent playing alone because there is noone to play with. Yes, sometimes, there are opportunities to roleplay with people who aren't friends to my character and to the extent that my character would interact with characters he doesn't know, I try to take them. I saw Miina in town the other day (before this thread was started) but through the roleplay of that one exchange, unless something happens to radically change the situation, my character will probably never travel with her and will generally avoid speaking to her. That is because of the roleplay so even though she's available, she's not really an option as a travelling companion because not only does the scope of the module limit opportunity but roleplay limits opportunity. Anything less is uncivilized.

The dissatisfaction does not come from the module itself, so there's no reason to defend it. The module is fine. The dissatisfaciton arises, but it is merely a combination of things that can cause dissatisfaction.

I'm not leaving, I'm just frustrated. I'm not trying to blame anyone, I'm just frustrated. If anything I expect to get blamed for any problems I have, because obviously if there is a problem and I'm having it, the fault must be with me. At least that's the response I expect. I don't care, I'm just frustrated and the thread seemed like a viable place to vent that frustration.

Signed,
Functionally Frustrated

[Driderman]

Ironic, innit?

[Manshin]

If your lonley and need companions, you simply have to be more foreward. When I play Abby, if I want to go somewhere, I just make something up, like: "I was reading about a strange herb which grows in 'such and such' ruins. It has healing properties and I would very much like to go get it... can you help me?"

A ton of people just sorta stand around and dont say anything. If you play that way, your probably going to have these frustrations.

I find you can create your own plots this way. For example, you could come running into town screaming about how you just saw some guy ripped up by a pack of werewolves. Nauturally, people will want to go see whats going on, so you form up with a party, and find that the body is gone!! Then you can track the beasts to that cabin filled with warwolves. If your character is the quiet type, just use your imagination to set the stage for why that wall flower would be all fired up and need some help. Works like a charm.

Zombie Manshin

[arcadiadragon]

ahh the ol' mid-level blues....i can relate...especially when either your Friends either shoot past you or drop off....it happens...like others have posted...its very frustrating...but you find when you get past that frustration you find your self a better and more well rounded RP'r provided that you stick around....remember turn a nod into a hello instead and give people time to reply..some of us type slow...btw just to let you know as well..took me 3 mos to get chrys past level ten....the rest came abit faster due to being more outgoing and seeking to get involved in more people...but also remember to pace yourself as well..just rambling and hoping to see you on, hang in there