Post by Gryphyx on Dec 24, 2014 17:08:12 GMT -7
Heya Folks,
Its Christmas Eve and its been almost a month since we officially launched (almost four months since our first game). So what has our first month of launch looked like? Here are a few highlights:
We've also had a few separate occasions with multiple games running simultaneously which is super cool. I suspect that once the holidays are over and our new GMs come online we should see a nice bump in games.
We've also released a bit more lore. While I've linked most things in IRC as they've been released, I'll put them here to make sure everyone gets a chance to see them.
By the end of December I hope to add information on the Iron Realms thanks to the efforts of Dawizahr.
As good as the last month (last four months really) has been it is clear that we have some challenges ahead of us. The biggest that I see is going to be coordination between the now large number of GMs. This was our biggest challenge in beta as well so we really need to find a good solution to this. The second issue, and one more recognizable to almost all players, is the preeminence of magic item crafting. Part of this problem is real, and will be addressed in time. Part of the problem however, is more about players not understanding the options available to them now and those soon to come. Specifically, magic item crafters are only allowed to craft published items. Nothing custom, nothing off slot. Currently, player characters can purchase magic items in the emporium. The emporium is accessible through its thread in the downtime interactions forum and it is the only way to acquire off slot items. Also, general magic item purchases will be made more available in the coming months. The magic item issue has a third component, and one I hope you're all willing to pay attention to because it effects more than just magic item crafting. I've noticed that as soon as people see an option that makes someone else more powerful then their character in a significant way, they begin to react poorly towards it. So please, feel free to discussion this issue and other power discrepancies, but do so constructively, in a manner that is unbiased, and in a manner not likely to be perceived as whining. That said, magic item crafting is definitely an issue that we'll watch moving forward.
Finally, the following message is delivered to each character currently approved (Dec. 24th) as well as Jotunn, Rif, and Reihold, who are currently pending:
"Dear Adventurer,
Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. I have left a gift for you with the man known as Big Duade. I hope you like it. When you feel up to the task, I invite you to find me.
Truly,
Father Winter"
When you arrive at the Golden Plow and inquire with Big Duade he confirms that he does indeed have a package for you. He hands you a small, gaily wrapped box and tells you that he didn't see who left it. When you eventually unwrap the package you find three stones, one red, one white, one green. A detect magic shows that they are indeed magical and once more time is spent to understand their use it becomes clear. Each are single use items. Each cast a single dancing light within 100 feet that alternates between green and red. The light creates a DC14 dazzling effect to a specific alignment. The red stone effects good, the white effects evil, and the green effects neutral.
Happy Holidays to all and I can't wait to see where we go from here!
Gamingly,
The Leadership Council
Its Christmas Eve and its been almost a month since we officially launched (almost four months since our first game). So what has our first month of launch looked like? Here are a few highlights:
- 30 games in 24 days
- 56 new players
- 7 new GMs with 5 more applications pending
- A HUGE number of new swashbucklers and wizards
- A whole heck of a lot of fun times
We've also had a few separate occasions with multiple games running simultaneously which is super cool. I suspect that once the holidays are over and our new GMs come online we should see a nice bump in games.
We've also released a bit more lore. While I've linked most things in IRC as they've been released, I'll put them here to make sure everyone gets a chance to see them.
- Game time calendar synced to real time days
- The beginnings of a historical timeline
- Special materials available to adventurers in Rook
- Mount Possible (Thanks SeaFrog!)
By the end of December I hope to add information on the Iron Realms thanks to the efforts of Dawizahr.
As good as the last month (last four months really) has been it is clear that we have some challenges ahead of us. The biggest that I see is going to be coordination between the now large number of GMs. This was our biggest challenge in beta as well so we really need to find a good solution to this. The second issue, and one more recognizable to almost all players, is the preeminence of magic item crafting. Part of this problem is real, and will be addressed in time. Part of the problem however, is more about players not understanding the options available to them now and those soon to come. Specifically, magic item crafters are only allowed to craft published items. Nothing custom, nothing off slot. Currently, player characters can purchase magic items in the emporium. The emporium is accessible through its thread in the downtime interactions forum and it is the only way to acquire off slot items. Also, general magic item purchases will be made more available in the coming months. The magic item issue has a third component, and one I hope you're all willing to pay attention to because it effects more than just magic item crafting. I've noticed that as soon as people see an option that makes someone else more powerful then their character in a significant way, they begin to react poorly towards it. So please, feel free to discussion this issue and other power discrepancies, but do so constructively, in a manner that is unbiased, and in a manner not likely to be perceived as whining. That said, magic item crafting is definitely an issue that we'll watch moving forward.
Finally, the following message is delivered to each character currently approved (Dec. 24th) as well as Jotunn, Rif, and Reihold, who are currently pending:
"Dear Adventurer,
Your efforts have not gone unnoticed. I have left a gift for you with the man known as Big Duade. I hope you like it. When you feel up to the task, I invite you to find me.
Truly,
Father Winter"
When you arrive at the Golden Plow and inquire with Big Duade he confirms that he does indeed have a package for you. He hands you a small, gaily wrapped box and tells you that he didn't see who left it. When you eventually unwrap the package you find three stones, one red, one white, one green. A detect magic shows that they are indeed magical and once more time is spent to understand their use it becomes clear. Each are single use items. Each cast a single dancing light within 100 feet that alternates between green and red. The light creates a DC14 dazzling effect to a specific alignment. The red stone effects good, the white effects evil, and the green effects neutral.
Happy Holidays to all and I can't wait to see where we go from here!
Gamingly,
The Leadership Council