New to Neverwinter Nights Roleplay FAQ
Feb 24, 2014 14:34:20 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Feb 24, 2014 14:34:20 GMT -5
About – Beyond the Pattern: Wheel of Time Roleplay on Neverwinter Nights 1
Please check out this short guide. It will help give you a sense of what to expect from roleplay on our persistent world/server for players not familiar to Neverwinter Nights or the specificity of our server.
All the crucial information you need to play and more details can also be found by reading our general FAQ & Rules.
All information about the server can also be located through our Key Links Directory .
Questions & Answers
Please check out this short guide. It will help give you a sense of what to expect from roleplay on our persistent world/server for players not familiar to Neverwinter Nights or the specificity of our server.
All the crucial information you need to play and more details can also be found by reading our general FAQ & Rules.
All information about the server can also be located through our Key Links Directory .
Questions & Answers
{1. What is Neverwinter Nights like? (Click Here)}
Neverwinter Nights (NwN) offers both a text based and a colourful graphical experience (you can see some of the screenshots around the forums). Text based interaction and player movement takes place essentially in real time. With our team of builders and scripters, we endeavour to create a high quality roleplay world mirroring Robert Jordan’s world in the Wheel of Time.
As a mirror world, utilising the NwN engine, the emphasis is not simply on recreating the exact occurrences of the books. What we try and do is draw upon and situate ourselves in the incredibly rich detail of the Wheel of Time world, but let players and storytellers/DMs have plenty of creative freedom to shape major happenings. Our aim is to create a rich and immersive space for Roleplay, whilst being inclusive of many different styles.
There is no extra cost to play once you have a copy of the game. More information about where to get it can be obtained from the Neverwinter Nights Community Site and our FAQ & Rules.
This community driven site about Neverwinter Nights probably explains its key features more succinctly than I can:
Neverwinter Nights Community Site
Highlights include:
“Neverwinter Nights (NWN) is both a single player and a multiplayer Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game (RPG). It is by far the closest thing there is to a true D&D game on the computer”.
“Neverwinter Nights allows you to create your own worlds. This revolutionary game comes with all the tools needed to construct your own unique lands of adventure”.
“With almost any type of internet connection (yes, even dial-up), Neverwinter Nights can be played online with up to 64 friends or other people, all sharing in the adventure.
“You can organize and run your own adventures through the role of the Dungeon Master and control all the monsters, creatures and characters your friends meet as they journey on their quest. A powerful piece of software that is included with Neverwinter Nights, the DM Client, allows nearly unlimited control for running your own adventures for your friends”.
“There are also many online gameworlds (called persistent worlds, or PWs) for you to explore, created by both new and experienced module builders…There are servers available to fit practically any type of gamer...”.
Neverwinter Nights (NwN) offers both a text based and a colourful graphical experience (you can see some of the screenshots around the forums). Text based interaction and player movement takes place essentially in real time. With our team of builders and scripters, we endeavour to create a high quality roleplay world mirroring Robert Jordan’s world in the Wheel of Time.
As a mirror world, utilising the NwN engine, the emphasis is not simply on recreating the exact occurrences of the books. What we try and do is draw upon and situate ourselves in the incredibly rich detail of the Wheel of Time world, but let players and storytellers/DMs have plenty of creative freedom to shape major happenings. Our aim is to create a rich and immersive space for Roleplay, whilst being inclusive of many different styles.
There is no extra cost to play once you have a copy of the game. More information about where to get it can be obtained from the Neverwinter Nights Community Site and our FAQ & Rules.
This community driven site about Neverwinter Nights probably explains its key features more succinctly than I can:
Neverwinter Nights Community Site
Highlights include:
“Neverwinter Nights (NWN) is both a single player and a multiplayer Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game (RPG). It is by far the closest thing there is to a true D&D game on the computer”.
“Neverwinter Nights allows you to create your own worlds. This revolutionary game comes with all the tools needed to construct your own unique lands of adventure”.
“With almost any type of internet connection (yes, even dial-up), Neverwinter Nights can be played online with up to 64 friends or other people, all sharing in the adventure.
“You can organize and run your own adventures through the role of the Dungeon Master and control all the monsters, creatures and characters your friends meet as they journey on their quest. A powerful piece of software that is included with Neverwinter Nights, the DM Client, allows nearly unlimited control for running your own adventures for your friends”.
“There are also many online gameworlds (called persistent worlds, or PWs) for you to explore, created by both new and experienced module builders…There are servers available to fit practically any type of gamer...”.
{2. What are some of the key terms I might hear and what is party chat? (Click Here)}
Our in-game server is single party by custom (all players can see each others portraits on the right hand side of the screen and can communicate to all using party chat by selecting talk in the bottom left hand corner and then selecting "party" instead, regardless of respective location).
Feel free to ask questions in the party channel.
For example, asking for how to get into roleplay, requesting help in joining a faction, are all fine questions. You can also use the forums here, or each faction's specific forum (just send flame or dreamchild a private message to get in), to arrange meet ups for roleplay.
Party should not be used to meta-game in situations like events, player versus player conflicts, or other situations where it could arise.
Terms like meta-game/meta and other more frequent terms might appear on the forums, in tells between players or in party chat from time to time. This short list explains their meaning for those unfamiliar.
Party chat is always OOC/out of character.
Module/Mod/Server/PW (all different names for a server you can log into and play or play offline single player)
IG/In-game (Being in-game/logged into the server as opposed to on the forums etc.)
IC/In-character (Acting as your character would act and think as opposed to you as a player)
OOC/Out of character (Acting as yourself rather than as your character)
PC/Player character
NPC/Non-player character
Meta/Meta-gaming (Using knowledge known by you as a player that wouldn't be known by your character)
AFK/Away from keyboard
PvP/Player versus player
PvE/Player versus environment (monsters)
Channeler/channie (the Wheel of Time name for casters/wizards etc.)
Our in-game server is single party by custom (all players can see each others portraits on the right hand side of the screen and can communicate to all using party chat by selecting talk in the bottom left hand corner and then selecting "party" instead, regardless of respective location).
Feel free to ask questions in the party channel.
For example, asking for how to get into roleplay, requesting help in joining a faction, are all fine questions. You can also use the forums here, or each faction's specific forum (just send flame or dreamchild a private message to get in), to arrange meet ups for roleplay.
Party should not be used to meta-game in situations like events, player versus player conflicts, or other situations where it could arise.
Terms like meta-game/meta and other more frequent terms might appear on the forums, in tells between players or in party chat from time to time. This short list explains their meaning for those unfamiliar.
Party chat is always OOC/out of character.
Module/Mod/Server/PW (all different names for a server you can log into and play or play offline single player)
IG/In-game (Being in-game/logged into the server as opposed to on the forums etc.)
IC/In-character (Acting as your character would act and think as opposed to you as a player)
OOC/Out of character (Acting as yourself rather than as your character)
PC/Player character
NPC/Non-player character
Meta/Meta-gaming (Using knowledge known by you as a player that wouldn't be known by your character)
AFK/Away from keyboard
PvP/Player versus player
PvE/Player versus environment (monsters)
Channeler/channie (the Wheel of Time name for casters/wizards etc.)
{3. What is our Server like technically? (Click Here)}
We run our server or persistent world 24/7 on a stable and fast connection. There are occasional server resets that nearly always come with sufficient warning.
We run our server or persistent world 24/7 on a stable and fast connection. There are occasional server resets that nearly always come with sufficient warning.
{4. What is Roleplay between characters like? (Click Here)}
Part of this server’s broader history (traced back to Wheel of Time: Third Age in the early 2000s) is a strong commitment to facilitating player driven interaction. A significant part of the roleplay experience and character development takes place in interactions between your own character with their particular aims, strengths, flaws, personality, moods etc. and those of other players.
Players are fully able to move around in most accessible areas, talk to one another, or whisper to one another. Players are free to roleplay how they choose, pretty much, and can do anything from chatting about their lives/day around the campfire, to organising a poetry recital, to having a diplomatic meeting between different player factions.
We’ve also long been a roleplay server that has been capable of facilitating and hosting a range of styles and flavours. Some people you might find as more “hardcore” roleplayers, others that tend toward both enjoying and participating in high quality roleplay, but also “hunting” with less roleplay emphasis (more simply fighting monsters for experience and loot without for example only hunting if roleplaying slowly through an area) and building strong characters within the customised NwN build mechanics (what skills, spells, attributes, feats etc. characters can get) that we have.
Players can reward each other for what they consider a strong roleplay interaction. More details can be found by reading the information about our roleplay vouch system: here.
Players can also do anything such as planned factional gatherings, chatting in an Inn, a festival, exploration, art classes, paid tutoring, combat exercises, games, dicing, recruitment events, poetry or other artistic recital, drinking contests, murder mystery, a treasure hunt, a party, a reading group, a philosophical or history group, a club, a writers guild, a social/cultural study group or what not, theft planning, herbal studies, finding and comparing the most beautiful spots club..feel free to be creative within the general setting, but not restricted!
As a side note - for in-game talk and whisper channels, please keep OOC to a minimum but using // or (( to preface something urgent/pressingly relevant that can't be done IC is permissible if used briefly.
Part of this server’s broader history (traced back to Wheel of Time: Third Age in the early 2000s) is a strong commitment to facilitating player driven interaction. A significant part of the roleplay experience and character development takes place in interactions between your own character with their particular aims, strengths, flaws, personality, moods etc. and those of other players.
Players are fully able to move around in most accessible areas, talk to one another, or whisper to one another. Players are free to roleplay how they choose, pretty much, and can do anything from chatting about their lives/day around the campfire, to organising a poetry recital, to having a diplomatic meeting between different player factions.
We’ve also long been a roleplay server that has been capable of facilitating and hosting a range of styles and flavours. Some people you might find as more “hardcore” roleplayers, others that tend toward both enjoying and participating in high quality roleplay, but also “hunting” with less roleplay emphasis (more simply fighting monsters for experience and loot without for example only hunting if roleplaying slowly through an area) and building strong characters within the customised NwN build mechanics (what skills, spells, attributes, feats etc. characters can get) that we have.
Players can reward each other for what they consider a strong roleplay interaction. More details can be found by reading the information about our roleplay vouch system: here.
Players can also do anything such as planned factional gatherings, chatting in an Inn, a festival, exploration, art classes, paid tutoring, combat exercises, games, dicing, recruitment events, poetry or other artistic recital, drinking contests, murder mystery, a treasure hunt, a party, a reading group, a philosophical or history group, a club, a writers guild, a social/cultural study group or what not, theft planning, herbal studies, finding and comparing the most beautiful spots club..feel free to be creative within the general setting, but not restricted!
As a side note - for in-game talk and whisper channels, please keep OOC to a minimum but using // or (( to preface something urgent/pressingly relevant that can't be done IC is permissible if used briefly.
{5. What do Classes do in NwN/what kind of characters can I make here? (Click Here)}
Class choice is the basic element of any NwN character.
There're no limits on the number of characters you can have.
Classes in some ways can be part of representing who your character is and what they're about, though it's certainly not the only way.
You're free to choose pretty much any NwN classes or combination in making them except for Pale Master or Red Dragon Disciple. Sorcerer, Wizard, Cleric, and Druid are considered "channeler" classes here and function completely differently from the normal DnD setting. You may wish to read up on channeling more here. If you need assistance with building a character (with the abilities, skills, feats, spells and strengths/weaknesses you want) in NwN please just ask. If you take Shadowdancer, you'll also need to take at least 3 levels.
There are also plenty of other guides about classes online such as at here as well as a search engine for premade class combinations: here.
It is possible to go from Level 1-40 (the levels available in NwN) in different ways - by roleplaying in events, or by hunting (both going into our regular hunting areas or epic areas (usually for around level 36+ in a party with others).
Most people choose not to have their attributes (strength, dexterity, constitution, wisdom, charisma and intelligence) strictly represent their character's in-character abilities. These do however affect the success and strengths of classes and combinations. They progress as you select them on level up and/or by taking feats in them later on (please ask if you need help).
NwN also provides a range of skill options and the ability to roll dice in-game. These are not always often used, but certain skills such as Heal, Lore, Hide, Move Silently, Listen, Search Spot, and Persuade can come up a little more commonly in RP situations. The only current rules we have are for the use of Heal and Lore on the server which can be found here (but there's no need to know these before you jump in and play: Heal and Lore Rules.
A DM might request you roll a skill or roll an attribute using your in-game dice bag in certain event situations that could have an affect on any outcomes. Between players, such moments where roles occur are often decided through a quick OOC agreement using the party or tells channel.
For combat skills, most people take Discipline, Concentration and Tumble as these prevent one being knocked down, disarmed, taunted, and improve armour, respectively. Hide and Move Silently allow one to go unseen, whilst Spot and Listen are automatically rolled in order to search for hidden monsters or characters as you move around. Open Lock is useful for opening certain doors and chests in the server, as well as sometimes in events. Please just ask if you have any questions.
All of the skills can be of use in RP in some way however.
Class choice is the basic element of any NwN character.
There're no limits on the number of characters you can have.
Classes in some ways can be part of representing who your character is and what they're about, though it's certainly not the only way.
You're free to choose pretty much any NwN classes or combination in making them except for Pale Master or Red Dragon Disciple. Sorcerer, Wizard, Cleric, and Druid are considered "channeler" classes here and function completely differently from the normal DnD setting. You may wish to read up on channeling more here. If you need assistance with building a character (with the abilities, skills, feats, spells and strengths/weaknesses you want) in NwN please just ask. If you take Shadowdancer, you'll also need to take at least 3 levels.
There are also plenty of other guides about classes online such as at here as well as a search engine for premade class combinations: here.
It is possible to go from Level 1-40 (the levels available in NwN) in different ways - by roleplaying in events, or by hunting (both going into our regular hunting areas or epic areas (usually for around level 36+ in a party with others).
Most people choose not to have their attributes (strength, dexterity, constitution, wisdom, charisma and intelligence) strictly represent their character's in-character abilities. These do however affect the success and strengths of classes and combinations. They progress as you select them on level up and/or by taking feats in them later on (please ask if you need help).
NwN also provides a range of skill options and the ability to roll dice in-game. These are not always often used, but certain skills such as Heal, Lore, Hide, Move Silently, Listen, Search Spot, and Persuade can come up a little more commonly in RP situations. The only current rules we have are for the use of Heal and Lore on the server which can be found here (but there's no need to know these before you jump in and play: Heal and Lore Rules.
A DM might request you roll a skill or roll an attribute using your in-game dice bag in certain event situations that could have an affect on any outcomes. Between players, such moments where roles occur are often decided through a quick OOC agreement using the party or tells channel.
For combat skills, most people take Discipline, Concentration and Tumble as these prevent one being knocked down, disarmed, taunted, and improve armour, respectively. Hide and Move Silently allow one to go unseen, whilst Spot and Listen are automatically rolled in order to search for hidden monsters or characters as you move around. Open Lock is useful for opening certain doors and chests in the server, as well as sometimes in events. Please just ask if you have any questions.
All of the skills can be of use in RP in some way however.
{6. How can I visually represent and customise my character? (Click Here)}
You can create pretty much any type of human character within the broader context of the Wheel of Time setting. We ask that new players don't make Aiel, Ogier or Wolkfin at first. Our FAQ & Rules and Key Links Directory can provide you with all the relevant information (we hope), but please feel free to ask anything.
You're able to change your characters face, skin and hair by using the Mirror in our OOC room (accessible from the starting area, just ask if you need directions) which gives a wider range of options than the standard NwN set. You can also create your own clothing designs by going to the fashion shop in Saldaea (accessible from Tar Valon), or the Seamstress in Caemlyn (again, just ask someone for directions).
With simple sets of words located on an item entitled "PC Chat Commands and Item Selector" you can create and customise any item you own for roleplay purposes by changing its name and description. There's a full list of the codes on the item accessible here.
We also offer every player 1 free house that one can design with the NwN toolset - just send a PM to Sere so that it can be imported.
There is also a list of other commodities that players can work towards their characters owning using the vouch token system here.
Special character talents specific to the Wheel of Time world are also being worked on that will add further layers of customisation, roleplay flavour and uniqueness here.
You can also buy, name and ride your own horse.
You can create pretty much any type of human character within the broader context of the Wheel of Time setting. We ask that new players don't make Aiel, Ogier or Wolkfin at first. Our FAQ & Rules and Key Links Directory can provide you with all the relevant information (we hope), but please feel free to ask anything.
You're able to change your characters face, skin and hair by using the Mirror in our OOC room (accessible from the starting area, just ask if you need directions) which gives a wider range of options than the standard NwN set. You can also create your own clothing designs by going to the fashion shop in Saldaea (accessible from Tar Valon), or the Seamstress in Caemlyn (again, just ask someone for directions).
With simple sets of words located on an item entitled "PC Chat Commands and Item Selector" you can create and customise any item you own for roleplay purposes by changing its name and description. There's a full list of the codes on the item accessible here.
We also offer every player 1 free house that one can design with the NwN toolset - just send a PM to Sere so that it can be imported.
There is also a list of other commodities that players can work towards their characters owning using the vouch token system here.
Special character talents specific to the Wheel of Time world are also being worked on that will add further layers of customisation, roleplay flavour and uniqueness here.
You can also buy, name and ride your own horse.
{7. What kind of things happen in a player faction? (Click Here)}
We have a number of player led factions (5) with different ranks that people can work toward as their characters become more experienced.
Faction ranks go from 1-3, followed by Epic 1, Epic 2 and then Faction Leader/Epic 3.
The 5 main player factions are:
The White Tower, which initiates female channelers ("casters").
The Black Tower, which recruits male channelers ("casters").
The Legion of the Dragon (allies of the Black Tower), Children of the Light and Younglings (affiliated with the White Tower) will recruit most melee characters - feel free to ask people in-character for more about what they do or OOC for a general WoT lore idea.
Each of the factions has unique aims, a flavour and feeling. Player faction leaders and higher ranks have significant ability to alter and change their faction through emergent roleplay.
Factions are the centres for many events and bring characters together for both on the fly and more organised roleplay interaction.
Interactions range from talking about ones characters feelings, discussing the aftermath of a battle, to training in basic or advanced skills, to playing dice...
Each faction also has their own forum to organise activities IC and OOC. Please just send a private message to Dreamchild or Flame, or drop a message on the main forum if you need access to the boards or just general help with getting in.
Each Faction Leader (and for more about each faction) is listed here, and you can ask them about arranging a meeting time IC, or they will be able to help you: Click Here
Asking on party chat about how to join a faction is absolutely fine too!
You could also choose to play a non-faction character - see here.
We have a number of player led factions (5) with different ranks that people can work toward as their characters become more experienced.
Faction ranks go from 1-3, followed by Epic 1, Epic 2 and then Faction Leader/Epic 3.
The 5 main player factions are:
The White Tower, which initiates female channelers ("casters").
The Black Tower, which recruits male channelers ("casters").
The Legion of the Dragon (allies of the Black Tower), Children of the Light and Younglings (affiliated with the White Tower) will recruit most melee characters - feel free to ask people in-character for more about what they do or OOC for a general WoT lore idea.
Each of the factions has unique aims, a flavour and feeling. Player faction leaders and higher ranks have significant ability to alter and change their faction through emergent roleplay.
Factions are the centres for many events and bring characters together for both on the fly and more organised roleplay interaction.
Interactions range from talking about ones characters feelings, discussing the aftermath of a battle, to training in basic or advanced skills, to playing dice...
Each faction also has their own forum to organise activities IC and OOC. Please just send a private message to Dreamchild or Flame, or drop a message on the main forum if you need access to the boards or just general help with getting in.
Each Faction Leader (and for more about each faction) is listed here, and you can ask them about arranging a meeting time IC, or they will be able to help you: Click Here
Asking on party chat about how to join a faction is absolutely fine too!
You could also choose to play a non-faction character - see here.
{8. What is Roleplay with DMs like? (Click Here)}
We have a team of Storytellers/DMs who utilise the NwN engine to do things ranging from creating in-game events (situations that create choices, adventures and so on, for players to negotiate in-character), overseeing group or individual roleplay, rewarding roleplay with experience points needed to level up, or gold to purchase items. They can also DM vouch (info here) player characters for good roleplay in events.
With the DM Tools provided by NwN and the areas and custom tools provided by our Builders/Scripters and those others in the broader NwN community, you can expect adventures that include customised placement of objects not normally in the PW and the capability of interacting with a range of non-player characters, moving around in the world.
Sometimes events will draw more heavily on the Wheel of Time lore, but they will also be familiar in many ways to those used to roleplay or just from the kinds of things one might expect in a general fantasy setting.
A bit more about our Storytellers/DMs and events can be found here.
We have a team of Storytellers/DMs who utilise the NwN engine to do things ranging from creating in-game events (situations that create choices, adventures and so on, for players to negotiate in-character), overseeing group or individual roleplay, rewarding roleplay with experience points needed to level up, or gold to purchase items. They can also DM vouch (info here) player characters for good roleplay in events.
With the DM Tools provided by NwN and the areas and custom tools provided by our Builders/Scripters and those others in the broader NwN community, you can expect adventures that include customised placement of objects not normally in the PW and the capability of interacting with a range of non-player characters, moving around in the world.
Sometimes events will draw more heavily on the Wheel of Time lore, but they will also be familiar in many ways to those used to roleplay or just from the kinds of things one might expect in a general fantasy setting.
A bit more about our Storytellers/DMs and events can be found here.
{9. What do our Builders/Scripters do? (Click Here)}
Our Builders and Scripters contribute their time to do things ranging from updating the module, adding new areas, editing existing areas as in-character decisions change the world, and implementing new ideas and systems with scripts, that are discussed with the player base, to help enhance our game world and roleplay experience.
Our Builders and Scripters contribute their time to do things ranging from updating the module, adding new areas, editing existing areas as in-character decisions change the world, and implementing new ideas and systems with scripts, that are discussed with the player base, to help enhance our game world and roleplay experience.
{10. What are the forums used for? (Click Here)}
We have this forum that allows the continuation or initiation of roleplay through in-character posts. It also serves as an important place for organizing roleplay, as we have players from various time zones. It’s alright to end in-character forum posts with for example: //Are you free at 1:30PM EST/ 6:30PM GMT?//
The forums here provide spaces for general roleplay or specific factional roleplay and organization. In those places, players can make posts in order to continue or initiate roleplay. Some people prefer to use the forums more than others and write with different levels of detail and style, sometimes also using images. We like to reward those who roleplay strongly on the forums by giving them a DM Vouch (info here).
We have this forum that allows the continuation or initiation of roleplay through in-character posts. It also serves as an important place for organizing roleplay, as we have players from various time zones. It’s alright to end in-character forum posts with for example: //Are you free at 1:30PM EST/ 6:30PM GMT?//
The forums here provide spaces for general roleplay or specific factional roleplay and organization. In those places, players can make posts in order to continue or initiate roleplay. Some people prefer to use the forums more than others and write with different levels of detail and style, sometimes also using images. We like to reward those who roleplay strongly on the forums by giving them a DM Vouch (info here).
{11. What other features are there? (Click Here)}
Our Key Links Directory has organised links to everything else the server has to offer. We're also innovating, building and working on new exciting things. Also don't be afraid to offer your own suggestions!
Our Key Links Directory has organised links to everything else the server has to offer. We're also innovating, building and working on new exciting things. Also don't be afraid to offer your own suggestions!