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A Few Bits Of Feedback
It's been around a week since I started playing Lusternia again after a considerable amount of time, and things have changed! I started a fresh new Moondancer and began (re-)learning how to play. I had a lot of fun and I started making plans in Serenwilde.
Unfortunately, it became apparent that Serenwilde isn't the ideal place to start a character. There are a number of very helpful characters who showed me how to go about questing, influencing, and making rituals. The history and general roleplay around Serenwilde made be very interested in playing there. My experience within Serenwilde was pleasant, and I started to do things beyond the forest.
The first time I tried to influence fae, I was debated by Kio. I'm not quite sure how, but I managed to win that one. My momentary elation was quickly snuffed out as I was killed, which largely nullified any victory I had (and to my dismay I discovered that dying made me drop the fae I managed to influence). I understand that anywhere outside Prime was open to being killed by others, but I had hoped there would still be something substantial about the whole deal. I guess it was some consolation that Kio said a few words after killing me about having to win in the end at all costs.
Next was when Daedalion raided Ethereal Serenwilde. Here I saw that Serenwilde, unfortunately, was on the short end of the stick. Older players can fare pretty well in Serenwilde, since they can hold their own most of the time or at least survive long enough to escape. Newer players, though, have a much more difficult time: we have to get enough lessons to start combat (I was told I needed to reach Transcendent in all three guild skills at least), we also have to deal with people killing us and slowing down our progress (and we're really easy to kill, heh!) When Daedalion was raiding, no one even bothered to defend Ethereal Serenwilde because 'there was no point'; Serenwilde didn't have people to remove even one enemy, and I was told that enemy would just run anyway if we defended.
Most recently, I tried to hunt essence in Water and understand the different types of essence and the need to convert them before being able to use them for power. I was ambushed by Morkarion, though, and this time there wasn't even any interaction beyond being cut open and the essence being taken. It took me a few seconds to understand what happened; that's how fast everything happened.
At this point I decided to leave Serenwilde and asked to join Glomdoring, which I'm hoping will dissuade them from killing me while I work on getting levels and learning stuff.
A few points, though: I read back and saw a long thread about Lusternia's population. I think the general unfriendliness of a number of players contribute greatly to the retention of new players. I understand that 'dark orgs' have to retain a bit of 'evil attitude', but it's entirely possible to interact with enemies without being overly antagonistic. Even a short tidbit like, "I am killing you because ___." helps a lot. Also, the "win at all costs" attitude, I think, is dangerously being played like, "win at all costs, even if it means losing players for the game," because those players happen to want to play on an opposing organization.
Unfortunately, it became apparent that Serenwilde isn't the ideal place to start a character. There are a number of very helpful characters who showed me how to go about questing, influencing, and making rituals. The history and general roleplay around Serenwilde made be very interested in playing there. My experience within Serenwilde was pleasant, and I started to do things beyond the forest.
The first time I tried to influence fae, I was debated by Kio. I'm not quite sure how, but I managed to win that one. My momentary elation was quickly snuffed out as I was killed, which largely nullified any victory I had (and to my dismay I discovered that dying made me drop the fae I managed to influence). I understand that anywhere outside Prime was open to being killed by others, but I had hoped there would still be something substantial about the whole deal. I guess it was some consolation that Kio said a few words after killing me about having to win in the end at all costs.
Next was when Daedalion raided Ethereal Serenwilde. Here I saw that Serenwilde, unfortunately, was on the short end of the stick. Older players can fare pretty well in Serenwilde, since they can hold their own most of the time or at least survive long enough to escape. Newer players, though, have a much more difficult time: we have to get enough lessons to start combat (I was told I needed to reach Transcendent in all three guild skills at least), we also have to deal with people killing us and slowing down our progress (and we're really easy to kill, heh!) When Daedalion was raiding, no one even bothered to defend Ethereal Serenwilde because 'there was no point'; Serenwilde didn't have people to remove even one enemy, and I was told that enemy would just run anyway if we defended.
Most recently, I tried to hunt essence in Water and understand the different types of essence and the need to convert them before being able to use them for power. I was ambushed by Morkarion, though, and this time there wasn't even any interaction beyond being cut open and the essence being taken. It took me a few seconds to understand what happened; that's how fast everything happened.
At this point I decided to leave Serenwilde and asked to join Glomdoring, which I'm hoping will dissuade them from killing me while I work on getting levels and learning stuff.
A few points, though: I read back and saw a long thread about Lusternia's population. I think the general unfriendliness of a number of players contribute greatly to the retention of new players. I understand that 'dark orgs' have to retain a bit of 'evil attitude', but it's entirely possible to interact with enemies without being overly antagonistic. Even a short tidbit like, "I am killing you because ___." helps a lot. Also, the "win at all costs" attitude, I think, is dangerously being played like, "win at all costs, even if it means losing players for the game," because those players happen to want to play on an opposing organization.
2
(c) Iron Realms Entertainment 2012.
Comments
But yes, there are definitely a lot of lessons needed to get any good in combat, unfortunately.
Has Wiccan rp changed so much?
Awesome.
As for Kio I believe he actually posted on the forums feeling bad about it on an IC and OOC level, and tried to salvage the situation where he killed a novice as best he could.
Eodh:
I'm sorry you've had the interactions that you've had and as everyone else is saying some won't do that to novices, but it's hit and miss. Though when these things come up as a novice you can send your feedback to the leaders of those people and see what kind of response you get, or go to your leaders to ask on your behalf and create some sort of interaction with it. It's always interesting to deal with those sorts of situations, and opens up interactions with an entire side of the basin you normally don't interact with.
Combat is very complicated. The best thing you can do to help in these sorts of situations is work on yourself before working on helping out in conflict quests without assistance. Lusternia is built around conflict and creating conflict in many ways which was toned down dramatically. The best thing that I can say is that it's not very complicated to get to a base level to survive, the biggest thing is to get yourself to a respectable level (75+) and have some sort of reflexive curing system, Medic! is free on the forums and I'm really not sure how it works to tell you the truth, but it's there. Vadi's M&M is the other option which is I believe 80 credits and is what a lot of people use.
As a lowbie your first priority is to survive and basically nature vines people, if you start being focused, run away for a little bit and come back. The running away part is a lot easier after you have a curing system. Being tritrans, with fabled in discipline, and high resilience and magic go a long way to being good in single combat but isn't necessary in groups. The most important thing is to have someone who is leading well, if the mindset in Seren is to let their stuff get killed so that a raider goes away because they can't kill them anyways that's sad news to me because it means they consistently don't have someone confident enough to lead and that attitude and filtered down in to the general populace.
Seren knows that Daedalion (for instance) can't do any lasting harm; he can't kill an avatar on his own. He can kill ladies (easily replaced), and he can possibly kill an aspect (they respawn), so why bother defending against him or dropping distort/shrines if he's just going to run?
The only other reason is some misplaced notion of honour and duty, and (no offense, Eodh) that gets nubs killed. Not just killed, but the helplessness of "I can't do anything, this guy running rampant all over our plane and I'm not able to stop it" really cuts into morale. Thus, why defend?
Maeve is no longer taken seriously either, because while she is viewed as the ruler of Faethorn, she's viewed as the most inept, incompetent, useless ruler around. Neither side takes her edicts seriously because she can't enforce them and she never seems to make good decisions. So it doesn't matter if she says, "No killing in my realm!" The stronger side will always do it.
I'm hoping the combat overhaul will help cut down the disparity between the top levels and everyone else. So that we don't have situations where Demigod X enters, and the 5 level 85s, 4 level 60s, and 3 newbies can barely touch them (exaggeration... mostly).
That said, you were killed legitimately, and with respect to roleplay. It doesn't have to do much with evil / dark org, because good / light orgs (for as much as both terms really apply to Lusternia, but using them for the sake of comparison here) may just as well be inclined to root out the other side under the banner of righteous justice. It's up to people personally to decide if IC and OOC they want to kill novices or not. I personally lean towards a certain OOC kindness to novices when justifiable IC (see them as a harmless threat from an org that is weak to begin with for example) but that isn't for everyone.
My personal opinion on player retention lies with the complications of the combat system, coupled with the niche that is text games. I've played another game that has a very harsh pvp system, yet people love it for being so. That game has made things more user-friendly without taking away from the experience and it has played out very well in its advantage. This makes me confident that Lusternia can flourish by doing the same. Time will tell, and I hope you will stick around to see that time, you have a great attitude all things considered and these are the kind of people we need. So stick around and be the change you wish to see is what I'd say
You have received a new honour! Congratulations! On this day, you have shown your willingness to ensure a bug-free Lusternia for everyone to enjoy. The face of Iosai the Anomaly unfolds before you, and within you grows the knowledge that you have earned the elusive and rare honour of membership in Her Order.
Curio Exchange - A website to help with the trading of curio pieces in Lusternia.
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
The chip on your shoulder is showing Elanorwen.
The divine voice of Avechna, the Avenger reverberates powerfully, "Congratulations, Morkarion, you are the Bringer of Death indeed."
You see Estarra the Eternal shout, "Morkarion is no more! Mourn the mortal! But welcome True Ascendant Karlach, of the Realm of Death!
Regardless, it's great that Glomdoring has the propaganda that Serenwilde is responsible for every bad thing that's ever happened to the fae. And it's good RP that Glomdoring forgets its actions have done a lot of damage to the fae. But don't get your OOC and IC feelings mixed up.
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
(Un)Surprisingly, shortly thereafter, Maeve was tainted, branded & turned into Dame Maeve.
This one's pretty simple from a propaganda standpoint at least.
Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.
They more tend to do it because it spites Serenwilde and their allies.
The anger towards Serenwilde is because when it boils down to it, Magnagora did what Magnagora was expected to do. Serenwilde's actions betrayed Maeve and the Fae, it was a backstab and one they never saw to rectify. There's usually a stronger sense of anger and rage when someone knifes you in the back, than the guy who comes at you head on with sword in hand.
The divine voice of Avechna, the Avenger reverberates powerfully, "Congratulations, Morkarion, you are the Bringer of Death indeed."
You see Estarra the Eternal shout, "Morkarion is no more! Mourn the mortal! But welcome True Ascendant Karlach, of the Realm of Death!
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