From a True Fans perspective

[hearmeroar]

Burnout is something that strikes far too often when one thing has been piled up on too few people. Flame took most of the DM business of running events and mending disputes between players, finding common ground etc.. and did a properly and good job of it as well.

However, the thing is.. And I've said this from the beginning in my suggestion thread that everyone that would want to be a DM should be allowed to be one. Of course, there are more DMs around than just flame, but without pointing fingers or naming names about who has been doing what I'd consider a bad job of the position by for example not bothering doing anything at all while on as a DM and just lurking - This is something I was very, very guilty of back when I DM'ed as well.- I'd just say that a good DM is very hard to find, speaking from own experiences from this server and other servers I play on. Most people seem to think it is a leisure and something that requires next to no work, which it isn't. DM's are the ones who are responsible of the server. They help people out with their technical difficulties, such as remaking, etc... But also are the ones who create events for the playerbase - and creating events takes time and effort as well.

I'd be more than happy to be a DM if it wasn't for the fact that I know I'd do a bad job at it, personally. But despite this being the fact, if no one else wants to, I'd view it as a sort of responsibility in case we wish this server to continue.

Another thing which annoys me to no end and has contributed even more than a lack of DMs to make the server be in the state it is now is the restrictions put in place of characters as to where they can go to RP : As it stands now, Tar Valon is the main RP hub, and this is something that should not be. A faction area should NOT be the main RP hub at all, as it stands, that should either be Caemlyn or some equally important city. Also, people have to stop standing around and doing nothing while there are people around you CAN Rp with. Is it awkward to RP with a certain type of character? Then RP that awkwardness. Do something to make it apparent that you would want RP to take place in the first place.

Another thing I wish to see implemented are Haks. This is something I am going to continue to push for because from my perspective : Haks makes a server better. Especially when it comes to such an old game as this. It is the reason why there are servers in nwn1 with still over 100 people visiting on a daily basis. I know what Cap's view on the topic is, and I will be so blunt as to state that he is wrong. Overrides are not better than haks. They merely make it easier for the builders not to implement and update things.

As for the staff? I agree that we need a project lead, but it should by no means be synonymous with dictator. We need people in the staff that are capable and willing to share the burden, to take criticism and work together for the benefit of the server. We need someone to make the server better. We need communication.

My suggestion is that a project lead is found, but also at least someone in charge for the building as well as a storyteller DM and a DM that can take care of technical issues as well. That is, in my opinion the smallest step we can take in the right direction at the moment.

-Hear Me Roar

[Astarael]

Looks like I had better put my money where my mouth is, then.

Where do I sign up?

[Powerthirstjunky]

is that a hand up for project lead Astarael? I for one would back you taking up that role if you want to. I know you have had great success with past wot servers

We have Cap in charge of building, seems to still be around and imo has done a great job thus far (the haks/overrides are perhaps a discussion for the future)

I would like to take up a Admin type role if people are happy for me to. I do put my name forward as any players first point of contact if they have any issues they need DM help with.

Guess what we are really missing is the storyteller Dm(s) to help get the ball rolling again

[Astarael]

I agree that what we need is DMs who are willing to run events and put plots together. One of the mistakes we made on the second version of TTS is that whilst we focussed so heavily on making the most realistic and true-to-book server, we destroyed a lot of the reason why people play a NWN server like this and made life difficult for people wanting to RP in different areas.

This is partly why I would like to see a development team completely seperate from the storytelling team, so that unless the individual would want to, there is no expectation or obligation of the Storytelling DMs to build, script, or design systems...and vice versa for the developers, no expectation or obligation to run events.

On the other hand, if we make it too much like WoW or other MMORPG's then we run the risk of losing the flavour of the setting as people become too obsessed with gaining levels, items, achievements, etc. We do not have the resources to compete with games like those, so any move towards that end of the spectrum is a waste of energy in my eyes. That's also not the reason I or many of you play NWN WoT.

My vision is a balance between accuracy to the source material and fun. We we will never get it perfect, and it will never be exactly the way that everyone would like it to be. Sacrifices and compromises have to be made, but I'm okay with that. In pursuit of that balance, we will get close.

Secondly, our ethos needs to shift towards all RP being of equal value. Whether its advancing a storyline with a DM or plotting with your Ajah sisters. Both need to count and both need to be attractive. There also needs to be plenty to do for when there aren't many players around. Nothing kills a server faster than the weight of expectation of 10-15 players needing to be met by 1-2 DMs. Look at what happened the moment Flame stopped logging in. If those 10-15 players have their needs met by the other players, then we stay happy longer and DMs can then plug the gaps. I would even suggest creating some initiatives to make taking up the DM client more attractive - there's obviously a reason why so few people do.

When factions are run correctly, they run themselves. Take the White and Black Towers on TTS - Both were entirely player led and the DM staff only had to intervene very infrequently to run raising ceremonies and provide external stimulus every so often which the towers then responded to. Each rank was involved, and each player had something they could do to further the aims of their faction. The Asha'man and Aes Sedai set tasks for the initiates to complete that involved interaction with other factions as much as possible (where appropriate) and took ownership of their progress IC and the development of their RP OOC. Asha'man commanders and Sitters led their respective camps/Ajahs in the same way. It was a golden age for both of these factions. It can be again.

So there you have it. I know first-hand that the only sustainable model for a project like ours is if the players begin to rely on each other more than they do the DM staff. DM's should be the facilitators of RP and not the sole source of it. We are a community, we are all responsible in some way for maintaining our values and making progress towards our aims.

This wasn't intended to read like a manifesto of Beyond the Pattern under my leadership, but if this is a vision people can subscribe to then I will see it done.

[Dreamchild]

I am going to open up the admin area for Ast, from what I have seen here. If Martin wants it too, I have no problem with that either, just say the word.