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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2018 9:01:43 GMT -5
Hey all,
The Greatgaunt Volunteers will muster on August 18th, at 18:00 (6 pm) London Time / 12:00 (12 pm) Central Time.
Greatgaunt Volunteers Musters are open to all player characters levels 1 through 10.
If you come along, I'll see you there!
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Nicoen
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Post by Nicoen on Aug 13, 2018 9:22:09 GMT -5
Sadly I will be missing out on this one.
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Post by Orchid on Aug 13, 2018 9:59:28 GMT -5
I'll be missing this as well...due to reasons beyond my control
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Post by malclave on Aug 13, 2018 12:36:11 GMT -5
Will need to slip in some reading this week to help get into character for my halfling. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2018 11:03:41 GMT -5
The Volunteers will muster in one hour!
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Post by malclave on Aug 18, 2018 15:08:25 GMT -5
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Post by Pandora on Aug 18, 2018 15:25:44 GMT -5
I need a Noah's Ark themed song after this one  |
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Post by malclave on Aug 18, 2018 15:40:00 GMT -5
I need a Noah's Ark themed song after this one |
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Post by Fluffy the Mad on Aug 18, 2018 16:17:10 GMT -5
On a Blues Brothers kick today, malclave? I approve, either way! |
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Post by malclave on Aug 18, 2018 17:01:20 GMT -5
On a Blues Brothers kick today, malclave ? I approve, either way! Just a happy coincidence. Though now that you point it out, I regret not having my paladin say "we're on a mission from god" and "Cormyrean Malarites. I hate Cormyrean Malarites" when the opportunity presented itself. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2018 12:46:43 GMT -5
Thanks for event. PS: It would be better if muster would be team building, but I did not recognized it there.
Do you mean team building as in helping characters to find groups to travel with, even when no muster event is announced?
Well, it is supposed to be one of the goals of the GG vols, but it can either be a hit or miss. To increase the likelihood, some other things need to happen as well.
Disclaimer: This is not me telling anyone how to play, but how I think that the GG vols muster potential could be better exploited.
1) More musters taking place at similar days and timezones (Not always possible, but consistency is always welcome here)
2) Players playing Main characters during the muster rather than alt ones (This means devoting more effort and time to the volunteer character)
3) Players taking it slow and not rushing to have their characters to level 11+
4) Arranging a player group beforehand and taking the characters to the musters whenever possible
Bonus:
Neglecting +1 and some +2 items while the character remains in the Volunteers. The DMs usually drop these items and unique ones as well. It is more special to acquire such items, even if +1, during a muster, than purchasing them just because they offer benefits and advantages early on. Without any +1 and +2 items, it is also easier for the DM to create and leave an appropriate item for the characters during or after the events.
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Nicoen
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Post by Nicoen on Aug 21, 2018 12:52:23 GMT -5
I think 1) & 3) already applies to the last year of musters that I've attended(which are most of them). I have brought the same character to the musters and have seen many familiar faces from the other musters, so a lot of players are actually doing this already. I also think 2) is inaccurate as I see a lot of depth and thoughts put into the characters that has participated in these musters, and they've been interesting to get to know, mainly through the musters.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2018 13:01:17 GMT -5
I think 1) & 3) already applies to the last year of musters that I've attended(which are most of them). I have brought the same character to the musters and have seen many familiar faces from the other musters, so a lot of players are actually doing this already. I also think 2) is inaccurate as I see a lot of depth and thoughts put into the characters that has participated in these musters, and they've been interesting to get to know, mainly through the musters. If said characters are involved in more than just the muster, then sure. Though now I think that this discussion has potential of taking a bad direction and that I do not want.
Basically, the message is to play those characters during the musters with the purpose of develpoing them. If most folks are doing it already, then great.
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Post by Orchid on Aug 21, 2018 13:58:10 GMT -5
I had Laura in the Muster for a couple years and more or less played her only in the Muster to keep her story there on purpose. That said, I don't think anyone can fault me, her, or the other mainstay folks, like Nico's Joram, or Yarrick comes to mind, or others who show up at, and largely only for Musters as being shallow characters. I think what some people do, and do well, is have a main, or mains, or whatever, but also have a dedicated Vols character they devote time and energy too equally. Given the infrequent nature of Musters I don't see how playing in effect a Vols main, and a regular play main is a bad thing. Most tabletop campaigns that NWN was born from, occur once a week, or bi-weekly, or monthly or whatever, for a few hours at a time. I've always viewed Vols Musters like FRCs own kind of brand of tabletop campaign.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2018 14:23:45 GMT -5
I had Laura in the Muster for a couple years and more or less played her only in the Muster to keep her story there on purpose. That said, I don't think anyone can fault me, her, or the other mainstay folks, like Nico's Joram, or Yarrick comes to mind, or others who show up at, and largely only for Musters as being shallow characters. I think what some people do, and do well, is have a main, or mains, or whatever, but also have a dedicated Vols character they devote time and energy too equally. Given the infrequent nature of Musters I don't see how playing in effect a Vols main, and a regular play main is a bad thing. Most tabletop campaigns that NWN was born from, occur once a week, or bi-weekly, or monthly or whatever, for a few hours at a time. I've always viewed Vols Musters like FRCs own kind of brand of tabletop campaign. Not saying they are. However, the downside of that practice, is that the musters themselves no longer serve to create adventuring groups as easily and as naturally as they did. This is Sergei's concern apaprently.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2018 14:56:31 GMT -5
Not exactly. Muster is event with big group of participants. Because leader of group is skilled military guy, he is able to provide right tactic and organize right coordination of members in big group. IMHO, muster for low level is training how to hunt in proper way. In fact, every member is hunted as autonomy unit. Some users were united inside group 2-3 members spontaneously. In case, if level of difficulty would be a little more, all muster would be wiped out easy. As example, in group were 2 bards. But their actions were not coordinated. In group were first line warriors, but they were not defined and magiciants were not organized to buff them in proper way. Recource of magiciants (spells) were not managed properly and it was used not in time or not enough effective. PS: Muster was good prepared tecnically and DM team spend a lot of effort. As for me, it could be used more effective. That is then an issue of tactics that could be handled by the characters themselves; maybe some minutes before the next muster. If it is mechanics, then the problem is different. Not every player has a firm grasp of gameplay mechanics and not every player has what it takes to be a good team player. |
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Post by malclave on Aug 21, 2018 18:13:34 GMT -5
2) Players playing Main characters during the muster rather than alt ones (This means devoting more effort and time to the volunteer character)
3) Players taking it slow and not rushing to have their characters to level 11+
I'm not sure how these work together. I've always been flexible on who I consider my "main" character, but it's usually who I'm playing most. That (hopefully) means gaining xp and levels. There's also the necessity of adventuring outside the Musters. Events like this are wealth sinks; after this last one, my paladin is out of healing potions and kits, and he still hasn't replaced the Raise Dead scroll he used in the previous Muster. Since he's my Volunteer character right now, I don't plan on playing him much outside the events, but just reequipping between events means he'll be getting xp towards eventually levelling out. Heck, my previous Volunteer character still has substandard equipment, at least in part from losing a couple thousand gold per event, and the VR Reserves don't seem different in that regard. That sounds good, but honestly I don't know if it would work in practice. An average Muster has what, around 12-15 PCs attending? There aren't enough useful items dropped (if anything at all), so it would come down to how well you roll. I really like the events, but IMO they're not helpful in advancing a character in terms of game mechanics. I just treat them as an opportunity to group instead of soloing the same dungeon for the nth time, and recognize that the character will be worse off in the end. |
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Post by Orchid on Aug 21, 2018 22:21:28 GMT -5
2) Players playing Main characters during the muster rather than alt ones (This means devoting more effort and time to the volunteer character)
3) Players taking it slow and not rushing to have their characters to level 11+
I'm not sure how these work together. I've always been flexible on who I consider my "main" character, but it's usually who I'm playing most. That (hopefully) means gaining xp and levels. There's also the necessity of adventuring outside the Musters. Events like this are wealth sinks; after this last one, my paladin is out of healing potions and kits, and he still hasn't replaced the Raise Dead scroll he used in the previous Muster. Since he's my Volunteer character right now, I don't plan on playing him much outside the events, but just reequipping between events means he'll be getting xp towards eventually levelling out. Heck, my previous Volunteer character still has substandard equipment, at least in part from losing a couple thousand gold per event, and the VR Reserves don't seem different in that regard. That sounds good, but honestly I don't know if it would work in practice. An average Muster has what, around 12-15 PCs attending? There aren't enough useful items dropped (if anything at all), so it would come down to how well you roll. I really like the events, but IMO they're not helpful in advancing a character in terms of game mechanics. I just treat them as an opportunity to group instead of soloing the same dungeon for the nth time, and recognize that the character will be worse off in the end. I have to agree with the sentiments here. Also, in general this whole concept of "main character" I've never agreed with. Not everyone has the time availability I do sure, but I don't see why you can't have concurrent storylines and just rotate as needed/RP demands. I get Sergei's complaint, but it seems Vols is held in two very different camps for people, beyond just myself. Some, in some form, treat it like me, and have a dedicated character mainly for that, some don't. I don't know what the solution is, I don't think either side are wrong however. My best advice would be just to reach out and make inquiries while there with people, see IC who's in what camp. |
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Post by malclave on Aug 21, 2018 23:58:27 GMT -5
Another option of which I've seen more in the VR Reserves (so there's no risk of levelling out) is for players to hold unofficial Musters of their own as the team-building exercises. A player could just post something in the GG forum for a dungeon run, and as an RP hook tie it to the Volunteers.
It means Frubo might not ring the going, of course. Individuals can decide whether that's a plus or a minus.
*idly wonders what the effect of casting Deafening Clang on Frubo's mallet would be*
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Post by Warlord on Aug 22, 2018 0:39:50 GMT -5
The PC being played in the moment should be quantified as a main PC for the moment of playing. When we play a PC, our best efforts should be given, so that a consistency is applied to best honor immersion. We might have alternative choices, but watering-down any one PC probably isn't doing that PC as much justice as able, nor the people around you. I understand mental energies come into play .. so .. don't play the PC if the mood isn't there? "Alt" is a slang driven expression, gearing towards thinking, "junk, an aside, not as important, etc." Yet in actuality, that PC's very proxy to another PC is a very important moment, big or small. The realm of perspective is 3-fold: DM, you, and the other player. I have no idea if any of the above will help with the discussions painted. Meanwhile, I've had minimal experiences with the Vol's. Per a recent OOC poke, I've decided to attempt to participate with the Vol's using 2, possibly 3 PC's. Here are my own general thoughts, past-to-present. - DM's do a good enough job during the events.
- I dislike some of the recent timing announcements for (i think) the past 2, 3 events? Not going to reference, either way: Vol event announcements should be launched 8-days out, and nothing less. If more time is needed, then by all means. The most common work week schedule is 7 days, so, the 8th day at least gives people a chance to reschedule themselves at work to attempt to attend. This might help increase turnout.
- That being said, 'some' consistency would be refreshing. Once a month or bi-monthly and perhaps a certain day of the week. Thanksgiving falls on the 3rd thursday every year, for example. Maybe the event could /at least/ fall on the 2nd friday of every month - anything to a consistency effect, etc etc.
- Event's don't need to push DM's to have some grandiose plot either, in order to help alleviate any pressure. There are soooo many monsters to pick from.
- My past experiences in the events personally was humorous to enjoy. The tactics of PC's were atrocious, but few people listen, fewer people assert themselves to attempt to command, and fewer still are the people that attempt to RP decent-charisma PCs. - I could give hints, but ... nope!!! RP for that.
- Of the 2 or 3 PC's in mind, 1 is likely to not last on pretense of alignment concerns, but anything can happen.
Also, Sergei, your discussion of tactics is veeeery illuminating. Mayhaps quake won't feel the need to remove a party member's spine from their own many deaths and oopsies.  |
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Post by gathera on Aug 22, 2018 6:04:25 GMT -5
One thing to keep in mind is your making the assumption that all players have an equal ability to attend. In my case the times don't often work well for me. So quite simply I don't get to participate that often but when I do it is always a treat. Quite simply even if play one character by the time another event rolls around that I can attend I can easily be out of range. It can be several months for me personally between when the stars are arranged correctly. This is in no way the fault of any DM timing more just my real-life schedule. I am sure there are others with similar circumstances. So yes I do have a few lower level characters that I keep around so that I might be able to attend.
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Post by Kolfrosta on Aug 22, 2018 9:58:48 GMT -5
I have a "dedicated character" for GG Vols, and she is not at all shallow. There is much more than meets the eye, and every choice she makes, the things she says, and the actions she takes are all thought out. Now she isn't going to announce to the world all her motivations and thoughts, and she's content letting everyone think, "She's just an archer." Just saying, some of us bring our " "A" game RP" to the Vols too!
But mostly, I play for the fun of it. The Vols musters are chaos and fun, (and yeah, potentially deadly) and it's nice to have people to party up with.
((Translation of American Slang: "To bring your "A" game means you do your best."))
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Post by Fluffy the Mad on Aug 22, 2018 11:11:17 GMT -5
I have a "dedicated character" for GG Vols, Hm... It is very interesting. Muster do not give money. Muster do not give a lot of expa. Muster do not give knowledge. Muster is not team builder. Muster bring serious risks. But people create and keeps their characters in low level only to participate in musters. Of course, I'm not romantic, but it exceeds all my expectations. It looks like I do not understand some very important. Gee, it's almost like people enjoy being part of a story and playing with others more than having an optimized experience. |
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Nicoen
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Post by Nicoen on Aug 22, 2018 11:12:37 GMT -5
Because it's a roleplaying game that most of us are playing to experience great stories, plots, characters and interactions with other players. It's not a job where I have to make sure I earn money and experience for it to be worth my time. I'm happy every time I get to be a part of a DM event, since it's my favourite unique thing about NWN compared to most other games out there, having other people make the game world come alive and react to your actions in it.
I also think you're wrong if you truely think you don't get any of those things in musters.
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Post by hellscream123 on Aug 22, 2018 11:19:34 GMT -5
Im personally sad musters always happen during my permanent work day. And my buggest money maker. Cause they are freaking awesome FUN plain and simply put.
It's not an event centric to "gain" anything. It's to meet other players and play together in a group you k ow will form
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2018 12:59:13 GMT -5
If that is the general opinion, then I guess I'm simply being nostalgic about the 2012 GG Volunteers. There was just something about that generation of Volunteers that stood out.
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Post by hellscream123 on Aug 22, 2018 13:04:03 GMT -5
That generation came at during the vault error daysm everyone had reset or had new folk. The musters were good means to learn of eveyone and rp.
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Post by Orchid on Aug 22, 2018 13:15:00 GMT -5
If that is the general opinion, then I guess I'm simply being nostalgic about the 2012 GG Volunteers. There was just something about that generation of Volunteers that stood out. May be the case, in my experience, being one that started in fall 2015, and attending as religiously as possible each subsequent muster, it's been regarded moreover as like I said, FRC's brand of internal D&D meetup, with some recurring characters vis a vis people playing dedicated Volunteers,m and others who pass through. |
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Post by malclave on Aug 22, 2018 13:36:04 GMT -5
I have a "dedicated character" for GG Vols, Hm... It is very interesting. Muster do not give money. Muster do not give a lot of expa. Muster do not give knowledge. Muster is not team builder. Muster bring serious risks. But people create and keeps their characters in low level only to participate in musters. Of course, I'm not romantic, but it exceeds all my expectations. It looks like I do not understand some very important DMs are awesome and fun. You know when, where, and with what level range character to show up for a group in what seems, at least to me, to be an increasingly solo game. They're different... you're not just checking off the same old dungeon crawl for the week. DMs are awesome and fun. There are plusses and minuses both to be considered. While I would like the minuses (at least as I see them) to be reduced, IMO they are outweighed by the pluses. (Did I mention that DMs are awesome and fun as a plus?) |
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Post by gathera on Aug 22, 2018 15:06:42 GMT -5
I have a "dedicated character" for GG Vols, Hm... It is very interesting. Muster do not give money. Muster do not give a lot of expa. Muster do not give knowledge. Muster is not team builder. Muster bring serious risks. But people create and keeps their characters in low level only to participate in musters. Of course, I'm not romantic, but it exceeds all my expectations. It looks like I do not understand some very important. I will try and explain for myself what is the allure of doing this. For me the musters are closer to the original version of the game, that being what is referred to as pen and paper. For me Advanced D&D the ones where the thief is stealing the gem eyeballs lol. In a pen and paper party there can be a lot of confusion and strangely group cohesion. Confusion in that you might have 5 or 6 independent minds each with their own styles and agenda's. Cohesion in that if some one messes around too much we all simply die lol. The Volunteer musters have some of the same feel, at least for me. Another fun thing is that the adventure is always well the first time. Like again paper and pencil you are always doing something new. It can take a little getting use to this. Things are not laid out so stringently. Sometimes it is more important to have a feel of the DM's style of play. Also on his end he has to know a bit more about all the players. Think of a herd of cats lol. Remember part of team building in an adventure is quickly understanding which people have the most use in a task and at the same time trying to use all the team. This is hard. You don't have any means other that suggestion and persuasion to do this. Still it is fun. At least for me. I do enjoy a bit of friction in the RP but that is not everyone's cup of tea. As for knowledge I can attest that events from the musters have made there way into the server. There is a certain cave with a certain green dragon skeleton that arose out of one of the volunteer musters. That sort of event does not happens always but yes it does happen. I myself have also created one character in response to events that transpired from one of the musters. My way of saying thank you even if I was never involved. The musters can be at time chaotic fractious even at time madding but crazy fun. Really! A bear you are walking a bear through town *sigh* Fine deal this later *looking skyward* (True event lol) This for me is part of the charm Hope that helps you understand a little of where my enjoyment comes from. |
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