[Brainstorm] Orc roleplay

[Dalvyn]

There are a few orc characters, and a few areas for them. Yet, most of the time, they can only find interaction with other characters by performing roleplays that might not always be perfect solutions (because it might always lead to pkills for some characters, because it can scare away new players/newbies, because it feels like forced roleplays ... some like it; some don't - I'm not taking position about it here). So, how to revive orcish roleplay?

There used to be religious gatherings held every 2 months or so ... what happened to them? I thought they helped consolide the whole orcish community (and that was fine).

Should we try to set up a system similar to the lords of Waterdeep, with maybe a Warboss, a High Shaman, and give them "something to do"? Can this "something to do" be a bit more than just ICly troubling non-orcs and/or pkilling?

Could orcs be the (only?) source for something that might be needed by everybody, thereby forcing some sort of evolved interactions between them and the rest of the world?

Or should we just scrap the orcs from FK?

Comments, ideas, ... welcome. Try to be POSITIVE and CONSTRUCTIVE please.

[Oghma]

The area that was built for the orcish gatherings was mostly locked at other times. I suggest opening it wide permanently to allow all orcs to use it anytime, sort of like the wedding areas.

[Dranso]

Maybe we could introduce more orc friendly quests. Then the orc could go and get his buddies, rp some then get a reward for it. I think this would cause more players to log onto thier orcs. And the more orcs that log on the more they rp with each other.

[Erich]

I agree. There should be more orc-friendly areas. I also think, that despite how they're looked down upon for mostly being PKers..I think there should be pillagable villages. That randomly spawn, with destructable areas and stuff, and people to kill.

>.> That's just an idea, though. Not sure how hard it would be to code. I've seen something like it on another MUD.

Anyway, orc-friendly quests could work too. I have an orc, but I'm kinda limited to what skills I can learn due to the fact that I'm an orc, mostly spells for priestly stuff. I'm also stuck grinding most of the time, and the only RP I get is with the only other orc I've seen regularly. Which isn't fun, 'cause I really dislike grinding all the time.

Repeating: Orc-friendly quests, areas, trainers.. Would all be good. I'd also like to see more active Gruumsh stuff too, if it's possible.

[Alvirin]

Quests and trainers are always desirable and nice, but they have a limited timespan, right, you may have one hour fun but then that's all about them.

In the other hand having something that generates player-ridden RP can provide enjoyable RP for much more time, something like having someone guiding the faith and guiding the orcs in the proper ways of the one-eye and also organizing periodic meetings or an orc trying to get the support all of the tribe trying to earn the title of warboss and lead the tribe towards their objectives is in my opinion the way to go.

[Dalvyn]

Quests and trainers are always desirable and nice, but they have a limited timespan, right, you may have one hour fun but then that's all about them.

Right. I'm not saying that trainers and quests are not important, but I would rather brainstorm about long-term projects here ... things that might keep people busy (and having fun) longer.

[Alvirin]

In my opinion periodic faith meetings, training/sparring sessions, some infighting to see who holds the title of warboss and the occasional orc marauding (but in a pack) would be a way to enchance the orc RP.

Most of those suggestions (if not all) would not need imm intervention at all.

[Erich]

Yeah, gatherings. Conflict. That stuff would be awesome.

[Horace]

Or should we just scrap the orcs from FK?

I'm inclined toward this. I have a hard time seeing what they bring to the game, which pretty much goes for all monstrous races. But, people seem to enjoy playing them - and the libertarian in me is alright with that. An orc that doesn't attack humans/elves on sight, might as well just be an evil dumb human.

But so to not make my post entirely unconstructive:

shaman herbs - like potion, significant boost to str/dex/con but after effects wear off you're slapped with the recently raised spell like effect.

Key ingredient in drug is adrenaline rich blood of the beings orcs chase down and kill, as payment for a full corpse of endorphin rich blood, orc shaman npc gives you a small bag of red powder you snort.

Orcs can name it whatever they want, and sell it as they wish.

[Namic]

If someone had some extra time on some insert random day wether it be weekly,by-weekly or something perhaps that person could be a start createing and run imm controled rp's similar to the drow rp's that tried to take place? I see two possible outcomes from 1) end up haveing more orcs sign on. 2) Rp idea flops and people dont sign on to their orcs. I know peoples time scheduals are often times tight with little time to help out with Imm ran rp. Though if it does start off good and runs with it eventually some of the players of the orcs would just start to play their orcs more often and then pc's can start to run some Rp ideas.

Just a thought so be kind in responces

[Duranamir]

Point the first.

I love playing with Orcs when i get the chance and would hate to see them ruled out of the game. But i personally do accept the element of conflict inherent in any dealings with the race. The issue seems to be managing this so that those who are not happy with this part of Orcish Roleplay do not get impacted.

Possible soloution

Give the Orcs somewhere to play where they will not annoy the "goodies" and where there is already another player group who are happy with an element of risk and conflict in there own play.

What i am suggesting is that the Orcs be allowed into some of the areas of the underdark which have previously been the domain of only the Drow. There are a number of areas and sub areas that they could profitably use and explore. It would also allow them to interact with Drow players a group not averse to a little properly RP'd conflict.

I am not suggesting that orcs should be walking down the main streets of Menzoberranzan, but the underdark wilderness area itself and the many supporting areas would be just as relevant for an Orc as for a Drow.

As far as interaction between the races Drow and Orcs do NOT like each other, but they will interact in various ways as is proved in several stories. They may fight, they may cooperate, but it will certainly not be boring !

If people in general and Orcs in particular think this could be a good idea i would happily work out a fuller proposal including what areas should be allowed in common and where the lines might be drawn. To actually implement this would require very little coding work creating a suitable connection for potentially a quite large gain.

I can not see any losers in this, the orcs get access to some nice but rather underused areas and the possibility of interaction with others who are in my opinion more happy with the Orc style of play. The Drow get other people to play with which is for them a major gain.

Duranamir the drow, who likes orcs but could not eat a whole one.

[Selveem]

I've stated it before, but I figure it's worth repeating: I'm really, really not a big fan of 'taking things away' from the MUD.

Actually, the shaman herbs were a good idea.

I would like to see a few branches of that, really. Maybe one that allows an out of body experience (you know, you go to the Realms of the dead and hang out with homies there?).

Stuff like that.

I know in FK drugs are a touchy/forbidden subject, but it also gives Halflings things to do, too.

My Halfling has RPed with Orcs before. He has to act like their *insert prison term for subservient here* while he's dealing with them to get favorable prices and resell things.

I would like to see Halflings be able to play the 'go-between' for Orcs. It gives Orcs things to do and it gives Halflings things to do.

Halflings are almost in the same boat in that they aren't particularly as accepted (or enjoyed by others) as the 'taller' races. Dwarves, too, cater to a specific group of people. Not many are willing to play Dwarves for an extended amount of time. These races that get more time together also help give them a place (partially why I don't like that everyone has access to mining/smelting/armorsmithing/weaponsmithing.

I would also like the Orc to have an easy route to Ched Nasad or something to interact with the Drow, too. Drow need love as well. This would give them access to things the Drow have to offer and act as a proxy like Halflings often do.

[Oghma]

A good way of introducing orcs and goblinoids to the underdark would be to give them a relatively easy way into Skullport. I'm not sure how but it could balance out and be beneficial to both drow and orcs.

[Selveem]

Hm, I thought Skullport was relatively vacant though? And, don't Drow still have a hard time getting to SP until higher level from Menzo?

From what I understand, it's been made easy to get into Ched Nasad from Menzo, thus I suggested Ched Nasad. If that isn't the case and I have it backwards, maybe Skullport _is_ a better choice.

[Nysan]

Drow movements between the three cities is rather easy actually. It boils down to paying the right mob, similar to how surface folks get to Faerdale... but a bit more costly. Orc/goblin-wise, a Skullport travel option in the orc camp would be neat. The mobs there already do not train non-orcs/goblins, cant see much difficulty restricting any portal/gating travel feature to orcs/gobs as well.

[Horace]

Before I decided on posting the shaman nose powder, I was trying to think of a way drow and orcs could mesh.

I wound up deciding it would never make sense for orcs to be in drow cities, but I did toss around an idea in my head where menzo or some other drow only underdark space would have a tunnel to a mob in orc camp where they can buy slaves (but not leave beyond the room)...and orcs can sell stunned mobs as slaves to this orcish slaver. Maybe even code a "slave pin" like a paddy wagon looking thing they can put stunned mobs in - being able to do proper slaving raids.

In return orcs can use the tunnel to enter a single room in the underdark.

Step 1: Enter Underdark, Step 2: ????, Step 3: Profit!

I can't think of anything unique for the drow to offer orcs. At least anything I think is fun.

[Caelnai]

I thought Skullport was supposed to be a melting pot? Everyone welcome, buyer beware, the ultimate non-newbie-friendly place. More mixing only helps facilitate RP, and I'd love to see a city develop as a center for those not welcome in MS. Skullport seems to me to be the logical, seedy choice.

I'll also add that there is a lot of canonical complexity to drow/orc rp that could be explored. Not even the lofty drow tangle with certain orc tribes, who in turn can barter for goods and relics in return for defense, war assistance, slave trade...the possibilities are endless!

FWIW, I don't like the idea of closing any area of RP down. From what I have seen, attempting to push RP into certain channels always seems to backfire.

[Nysan]

This thread makes me sad cause all the talk of powder and shammie stuff reminds me of the state of the herbism trade...

[Duranamir]

I wound up deciding it would never make sense for orcs to be in drow cities, but I did toss around an idea in my head where menzo or some other drow only underdark space would have a tunnel to a mob in orc camp where they can buy slaves (but not leave beyond the room)...and orcs can sell stunned mobs as slaves to this orcish slaver. Maybe even code a "slave pin" like a paddy wagon looking thing they can put stunned mobs in - being able to do proper slaving raids.

This is one example of where Drow and Orc RP do intersect, there is already a slavers guild under Menzo and i can see no reason IC or OOC that orcs could not use it to make money. I mean why should the Drow mind if the stupid orcs do there work for them ?

But i still have a few reservations about exactly how much access orcs should have, gut reaction is a bit of Menzo the surrounding wilderness and attached adventureing areas. But not the low level newbie areas attached to Menzo. Also not Ched Nasad as that is pretty pure Drow. Skullport is already accesible to Orcs through Undermountain and there is a way to get into UM from the underdark wilderness.

As far as reasons for Orc's to want to get near but not into Menzo, there is money and quite a large amount of things that could be traded for, not everything the Drow make is adamantine.

For the Drow, Orcs are a possible source for slaves and items from the surface as well as cheap labour/cannon fodder. A drow might well employ an orc as a bodyguard on a quest basis, which would make for a fun RP.

The access from Orc camp to the underdark is the big question, should it be level limited ? and roughly where should it come out, i have a couple of ideas but they would pretty much dictate the level question as they vary in relative danger.

Still this is early days for this idea, can anyone see any problems or is the response generally positive ?

Duranamir

[Harroghty]

Okay, take this...

Give the Orcs somewhere to play where they will not annoy the "goodies" and where there is already another player group who are happy with an element of risk and conflict in there own play.

Add this...

In the other hand having something that generates player-ridden RP can provide enjoyable RP for much more time, something like having someone guiding the faith and guiding the orcs in the proper ways

...and I think you have something interesting in the sum. What if the entrance to a common place (be it Skullport, the wilds of the Underdark, or what-have-you) was intrinsic to the orc communal area that Oghma mentioned? Now, add a logical reason for the access (the slave guild recommended earlier or something like it) and put a PC in the chain of custody for it. (Perhaps first-time access to this area is granted by a certain rank of faithful to the One-Eye or something, the PC would need to be vouched for.) Now you have a practical trade that allows orcs to interact with other races who need interaction and it is moderated (in part) by a PC. Certainly some of the other options Duranamir suggested could blossom from the initial interaction (bodyguards, fighters for sport, and so on).

I think Duranamir's suggestion is a marvelous way to introduce two races with little productive to do and allow them to role-play as a little something more than someone lurking to take people's lunch money.