Questions from a noob....

Sneek Dog · Post by **Sneek Dog** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 6:19 am

As a noob (I've had NWN less than a week), so not only am I learning the mechanics of the game, but also the Etiquet and workings of the online world. 
 
First, let me say that I have had the oportunity to meet many of your characters and have not foud one that I would consider unhelpful. However, after reading many messages on this board about the noobs 'ruining the RPing" I realized I could be one of them. Never having any experience in true role playing (I've played PnP D&D but never truly RPed like in the vast). Becaue of this, I'm was not sure how to approch things. 
 
For instance, the only way to meet people is to talk to them, but I see people complaining about noobs asking one or two questions and leaving. What kinds of questions should we ask. What are the best ways to "get involved" in the stories. Many of you have built strong relationships and any tips you can give would be helpfil. 
 
About DMs, how do you know if you get XP for RPing? Also, is there a way to know when the DM is online to ask questions? 
 
Might I make a suggestion to you experienced players. There are many thing to read regarding "rules" on the server and violation of these will result in being banned. Might I suggest that we/you/I could create a FAQ for Noobs to read. This wouldn't contain "rules" per say, but more do's and don'ts for good RPing. 
 
If you post your suggestions here, I'll try and compile them into a list and if we get enough good ones, maybe we can get the Admins to post it as a stickey. 
 
Thanks, 
 
Sneek Dog

ish07 · Post by **ish07** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:15 am

A good way to learn about people is to, like you said, ask questions, but there is a way to go about it. For instance, with a new character "unfamiliar with the dale", you might ask someone for directions or information. Example: "Hey, I'm looking for this witch, Roanna's her name, I think..." 
"Yeah, just go to the east end of town, you'll see her house." 
"Thanks a lot, by the way, my name's 'blah,' and as you can tell, I'm new here. Anything else you can tell me I might need to know?" 
"Well, don't run around with a helmet on, and don't tell Corvus jokes <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"> . You said your name was 'blah'? Haven't heard that before...where're you from?" 
A lot of conversations can go that way; just think of how you'd go about meeting someone in real life. If someone has a fire going, walk up and say, "Mind if I share your fire?" The worst they can do is say no, but more often than not you'll get a yes and a good opportunity for conversation. 
 
You'll know when you get rp xp: it appears in the combat dialogue box along with combat info, item usage info, etc. And, sometimes, the DM might send you a tell explaining that you just received rp xp. 
 
RP Info: 
 
Do:Stay in character as much as possible. 
Don't:use shouts; they're against the rules and annoying as heck 
Do:WALK around town. 
Don't:Return from a hunt near death, get healed, and head straight back out. That just wouldn't happen. 
Do:Play your character with regards to his statistics. If your intelligence is 9, don't speak correctly. If your Charisma is 8, go out of your way to be unpleasant, or note that your character is particularly unattractive. 
Don't"be afraid to rp your character, even if it means pissing off another character: no one will hate you in real life, and I for one enjoy having enmity with at least one character(where are you Jaelan?<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/wink.gif ALT=";)"> ) 
Don't:spill your guts to everyone you meet. It is extremely annoying and unrealistic when someone walks up to Valens and says, "I'm here because I was kicked it out my town for blahdeblahdeblah." First, Valens is the last person most would bring any sort of problem to, due to his aloof nature, and second, the very premise of just approaching a complete stranger and doing the above is idiocy. 
Don't:assume to know anything about anyone. It is very, -very- irritating when someone walks up and says, "Hey, Valens," as if they know him. Perhaps I'm partial to this, as Valens currently goes by a false name, and such assumptions have caused many tells to be sent and (( )) notes to be typed to alert others that something wasn't actually said, as it couldn't have been, due to an IG lack of knowledge. 
 
Well, I hope that was helpful, and if anyone thinks I got something wrong, feel free to point it out, and I know I didn't cover everything, but I know one of you will follow this up. 
 
-edited to add to the list, and to bring this thread where it might be noticed.

Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub188.ezboard.com/bthevast.showUserPublicProfile?gid=ish07@thevast>ish07</A> at: 1/12/04 1:19 pm

Harlequin565 · Post by **Harlequin565** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 8:12 am

Also, don't be afraid to use the private "Tell" channel to ask any questions even if you're not RP'ing with anyone. Most people will at least respond. (Even if it's "Can't talk - dying") 
 
(It took about 20 minutes of patient tells from Mendra before I figured out what the skinning knife thing was all about) 
 
Perhaps a list of characters that don't mind helping if they're online might be useful, though it doesn't help people who log in to the server without coming here first... 
 
If you (or anyone else) ever sees Tolwyn or Sylvie online and need any guidance, feel free to send a "Tell". 
 
-H

Innuvindyl · Post by **Innuvindyl** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 12:53 pm

another good way to get in touch with people, is to do something not common, like for instance, Innuvindyl took a bath in the lake at the Dale yesterday, which attracted at least one character for conversation (might be because she was a naked elf then <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/happy.gif ALT=":D"> ). 
 
Besides, don't let it take you down, if you do not have any relations to the others, Innuvindyl has just started to get relations now (besides her beloved), and I've played for 2 month now... 
 
and one last piece of advice... don't leave the Vast, you would regret it, unless you just want to powergame...

thryllkill · Post by **thryllkill** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 3:21 pm

Don't be afraid of leveling up slowly. Perado has been in the Dale over a month now, and has just reached a little over 800 xp. It is slow here, for a good reason, it keeps people from showing up and becoming tiny gods in a matter of weeks. Also please remember that level one characters are young and in-experienced, not tough and imposing. You can role play tough, but please remember that a goblin slinger can hand you your ass with little effort. 
Making friends on the server means more than hunting goblins with people. I am sure hunting goblins has become teadious for some of the old timers here. Even some not so old timers will not go hunting with you. Perado is very picky about who she will leave the Dale with. If she just met you, she may like you, she may be friendly with you, but she does not trust you.

Cafall · Post by **Cafall** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 4:23 pm

Sneek, I'd just like to say that the "noobs" we have been talking about are better termed as "powergamers"—people who are not only new to role-playing but people who will not take the time to learn the ettiquette and rules of the server and generally aren't interested in anything more intellectual than killing goblins. I know you aren't that sort of player—I applaud the excellent "interaction" between Rogor and Harritan a few days ago—and that kind of traffic has indeed dropped off quite drastically from what I have seen. 
 
As for the server rules, you'll find most of them in the general stores; and if you log into the lobby after a reset, one of the signs that are behind the AG and Taraxa NPCs will hold a booklet on the implemented HCR system which can be quite handy.

-- Cafall (Corvus Gwynstredd'ae and Harritan Middleson)

Harlequin565 · Post by **Harlequin565** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 4:38 pm

There is an excellent document about "How to play NWN online" which was very helpful to me when I started.. 
 
<a href="http://nwvault.ign.com/Files/other/data/1054180720258.shtml" target="top">Here's the link</a> 
 
Its a 750kb .pdf file. Whilst some of it doesn't apply to the HCR ruleset, there are some very useful tips and hints. 
 
-H

Post by **Algernon's Ghost** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:16 pm

Thanks everyone for your helpful posts, and keep them coming, it is exactly this sort of response that engenders community. I applaude each of you. 
 
 
<blockquote>Quote:<hr>About DMs, how do you know if you get XP for RPing? Also, is there a way to know when the DM is online to ask questions?<hr></blockquote> 
 
As was said, watch your right hand history window for the unexplained appearance of an xp reward. Some DMs will also send you a tell simply stating, "rp xp", or some similar message. I used to do this, but have fallen out of the habit because it means sending an inordinate amount of extra tells, so if you see the ## xp gained message, and no explanatory tell, it just may have been me. 
 
You are welcome, at any time, to send a tell into the DM channel stating that you would like to talk about role-playing. If a DM is there, you will at least get an acknowledgement, and we will try to get with you as soon as possible if not right then. It is also possible to set up a time to meet in game to help with your questions.

<hr />They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security. 
-Benjamin Franklin

Rahjin · Post by **Rahjin** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:25 pm

All i can say is this...if you need help...seek out Trent Waynn....he is a sucker for new people and helps them out alot.....*smiles*

bmm0321 · Post by **bmm0321** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 7:31 pm

You might find the information under <a href="http://pub188.ezboard.com/fthevastfrm13.showMessage?topicID=15.topic" target="top">The Vast on 5 Gold Pieces a Day</a> an informative in-character view of the Vast. 
 
bmm 
<img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/pimp.gif ALT=":hat">

Raeberquark · Post by **Raeberquark** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 8:12 pm

oh and by the way, if you encounter a person who doesn´t want to talk with you, just write it up as he/she is not a nice person or just plain busy. just keep it IC and you´ll fit in and get your own storyline going. 
 
WKR 
RQ

Sneek Dog · Post by **Sneek Dog** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 9:46 pm

These are excellent suggestions. I'm going to read that document later tonight. Having a community that is this supportive of a new player truly shows the difference between the Vast and a typical server. 
 
Sneek Dog.

Cafall · Post by **Cafall** » Wed Nov 19, 2003 11:18 pm

*Looks at Zagreus' post* Oops. That was dumb of me... I didn't bother to check the link. Deleted for redundancy.

-- Cafall (Corvus Gwynstredd'ae and Harritan Middleson)Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub188.ezboard.com/bthevast.showUserPublicProfile?gid=cafall>Cafall</A> at: 11/19/03 8:32 pm

DarkRitual · Post by **DarkRitual** » Thu Nov 20, 2003 12:25 am

*looks up to Harlequins post, then to Corvus' and raises an eyebrow* <img src=http://www.ezboard.com/images/emoticons/tongue.gif ALT=":p"> 
 
I read this little thread about creating a RP character and effective roleplaying a long while back. True, it is written for PnP, but it applies to NWN quite well. 
 
<a href="http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=105563" target="top">How to create a RP character</a> 
 
In fact I would recommend it to everyone, even "veteren" RP'ers, I still read it from time to time and refer to it. It stresses the one rule that I have always lived by when making a RP character, Concept first, then numbers. Fitting a character concept to a bunch of already made stats usually results in less than believable characters. 
 
-DarkRitual (Zagreus, Dia Amon'zen)

Edited by: <A HREF=http://pub188.ezboard.com/bthevast.showUserPublicProfile?gid=darkritual@thevast>DarkRitual</A> at: 11/19/03 8:27 pm

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