Interface and Newbie help/files

[shukron]

If anyone has ever played any other MUD besides this one, check out IMPERIAN.COM

They have an awsome system setup for new players. There is litterally help files for EVERYTHING. Everything from individual help files, to player run city help files, to guild help files. Only thing this MUD has over IMPERIAN is the rules for PK and roleplaying. I think this MUD could take the #1 spot if it incorporates some of the other MUDS ideas.

[Tamryn]

We do have help files for quite a few of those things (including player-run organisations and well-known characters), and also lists of good xp'ing areas sorted by level. Are there any particular examples of things you've found aren't well-documented?

(I don't mean to say you're wrong, only that if you can provide examples, it's easier for things to be fixed

[Rhangalas]

I would say at least 90% of the information relevant enough to need help files is already covered. The other 10% is either new updates that haven't been documented yet or old helpfiles that have updated code, but were overlooked.

If you do happen to find incorrect or missing help, you can always suggest it be added. I think Player Council members can edit and add helpfiles.

[Beskytter]

I do agree that a little more information might be added to some help files... I can't think of any off the top of my head, but I do remember wondering a few things when reading some help files.

However, a lot of the information you need to play FK is easily gleaned from ICly asking others about it. Now I can understand that this might a tough thing to do, but RPing with people is necessary to play this game.
That being said, I would support... and I am trying to learn to build so I would even go so far as say I'd help create... a newbie RP training area.

There are some things I've been seeing done by newbies that isn't entirely good in RP, not entirely bad, but not so good. Simple things like using abbreviations for directions, or not greeting when their name is said even if it's said by someone else.
A nice little run through on RP would be cool, and it would help newbies out when it comes to interacting with other players and learning about FK.

[shukron]

I like what Beskytter said. A newbie area to train people the proper way to RP, especially if they are not use to the type of RP.

Also, a few examples would be as follows:

A guild chat line, to talk to anyone who is in your guild, and see who all belongs to your guild. Maybe even have it as a player run thing with guild ranks. But in order to do that, would require more help files.

Also, city help files would be helpful. I have noticed everytime I enter waterdeep that names get shouted as to who is not allowed. How about a help file with these names, their charges, and perhaps a fine or what is required to regain access?

These are just a few things...

"Give me a minute and I am good, give me an hour and I am great, give me 6 months and I am unbeatable"

[Raona]

A guild chat line, to talk to anyone who is in your guild, and see who all belongs to your guild. Maybe even have it as a player run thing with guild ranks. But in order to do that, would require more help files.

Mask has considered adding chat and who functionality for guilds multiple times in the past, but right now guilds are not very active...so we are more focused instead on trying to figure out why that's the case, and address it. Maybe it is the chicken-and-the-egg problem, but our conclusion so far has been that guilds need a reason to be, something to do, and a non-destructive avenue to compete against each other.

Also, city help files would be helpful. I have noticed everytime I enter waterdeep that names get shouted as to who is not allowed. How about a help file with these names, their charges, and perhaps a fine or what is required to regain access?

With respect to the individuals banned from Waterdeep, at least in recent times, the explanations and events leading up to their banning are documented ICly, and I think that's probably the better way to go for a game such as ours. I agree that general helpfiles about cities that provide information that "anyone" should know about them, like general location and reputation, would be a plus...but I think we have them! If you find a (major) city that's missing when you try HELP <cityname>, please let us know.

[Tamryn]

Mask has considered adding chat and who functionality for guilds multiple times in the past, but right now guilds are not very active...so we are more focused instead on trying to figure out why that's the case, and address it.

Does this refer to the various class-specific guilds (for fighters, wizards, etc.) or player-run organisations (like the Night Masks and the Zhentarim)?

[Solaghar]

Player run organizations

[Kinni]

Mask has considered adding chat and who functionality for guilds multiple times in the past, but right now guilds are not very active...so we are more focused instead on trying to figure out why that's the case, and address it.

Perhaps this has to do with a lack of leaders or leadership activity? It's hard to tell. A lot of the help files for player-run organizations/guilds indicate to the effect "Do not contact us, we'll contact you". But, the characters are not contacted.

[Nylo]

A lot of the player-run guilds are now defunct. Besides the faith organizations, I think the Fellowship of the Undermountain is the only one with an active recruiting structure.

[Tamryn]

Well, if anyone is wondering why this is the case, I agree with Kinni that lack of leadership would be it. I imagine Tamryn would be up to join the Zhentarim, but I had no idea these organisations were even active anymore. (Perhaps with the exception of the Waterdeep Watch, but is that still going since Gwain resigned?)

[Gwain]

I'm a betting man, I was once asked what made the watch so successful that it persisted for so long. The answer that was put forward was the stubbornness of its leaders led to it being a fulfilling experience for so long for so many.

I have since expanded on that. What made the watch so successful? Taking risks, the new watch which began in 2005 with the revamped academy was a risk that someone chose to take on several players. It was an opportunity that cost little, and had enormous potential, but could either succeed or fail. It succeeded for some reason. Whereas the revamped zhentarim failed because of lack of membership (Evils back then, were a handful vs barrels of lawful goodies) Its all about taking chances with what you have. Sure you can make things more interesting, but if you can't come up with viable ideas or understand past success stories then you're not accomplishing much in regards to the issue. I've seen a huge explosion of potent roleplayers, I say if you can, take a chance, open some organizations to build themselves, and later when the weak ones have drifted off and only the strong remain, develop a strategy with the survivors based on why they feel they survived. The tools already exist, the guinea pigs are plentiful. Give it a try. And repeat, over and over. If you want to.

I apologise for detracting from the current thread. I would be fine with chat channels as long as you can detune them. Ic/ooc for myself is more trouble than its worth.