Post by shadycharacter on Sept 3, 2015 15:59:46 GMT -5
Greetings,
After making a futile effort at trying to reason with the staff of a certain game, I have elected to create my own so that I and others may enjoy a campaign setting we all know and love.
Dark Sun RPI is intended to be an accurate representation of the world of Dark Sun as shown in the AD&D 2nd Edition boxed set, from geography to races and beyond. Although the game will take place in but a section of the overall world, it is my intent to still have an extremely large game world full of brutality and grit, with a great many areas to be explored and secrets to be found (as well as horrific monsters to devour you).
So, to address some important points (which I will update in future posts as we move along) ...
Are you committed to and serious about this project?
I wanted to address this first, as I know it's a point of concern for many who have seen projects arise and then disappear. Yes, I am extremely committed. Physical limitations prevent me from doing much of anything except being at my laptop, so you can count on me to be working hard. The primary challenge will be in recruiting a staff to assist me and to code, but that can be resolved with time (or if necessary, via commission for the work).
What engine are you using to build Dark Sun RPI?
The base engine was originally going to be OpenRPI. However, we have since switched to Diku with about 80% original code suited to the setting.
Do you have stable hosting?
I have extremely stable hosting into the indefinite future.
What is the present status of the project?
Code is essentially done. We are working now on documentation and building issues.
Do you plan to have many restrictions, or is this a more relaxed game?
I absolutely aim to create a player-driven world in which you may achieve almost any heights you wish, so long as you've put in the work to get there. Players may form their own clans and raise them to prominence (or lead them to their destruction), attain positions of authority within civilized areas, build new locales through various means, achieve heroic/villanous/wondrous goals, and so on. The big ball of sand is your playground, and the immortals will be here to help you along, not to dominate your efforts to achieve goals and shape the setting.
Will you be using a karma system?
Yes, a karma system is planned to be used in order to restrict certain skillsets and more powerful races. However, my intent is to set a policy which allows us to be more liberal with the dispensing of karma, so long as players show that they are responsible and can handle the power being given to them. Plans at this time dictate that karma will be permanent, rather than a currency depleted when used. I like for people to have options.
Do you plan to implement permadeath?
Yes, permanent death is already coded in.
Will magic be an element in the game?
Yes, it will be. Although rare, magic plays an important role in the Dark Sun setting and will be present in many ways. Players will also have access to magic via the methods described in the books (Elemental Clerics, Defilers, Preservers). Acquiring these play options will take some karma, but access to elemental clerics will come fairly early on.
Will you have crafting and an economy in general?
Yes to both! The intent is to have a very robust crafting system filled with recipes for you to create from the world's many resources.
Where do you plan to set the game in terms of Dark Sun geography?
At this time, Tyr is intended to be the primary city and may well be the only city for quite a while. I don't want to spread things too thinly and leave people without the ability to easily find others to interact with. However, the world beyond the city will be vast and full of opportunity, and will probably stretch out to include aspects of some neighboring regions.
Which races will be available?
Aarakocra, Dwarves, Elves, Half-Elves, Half-Giants, Halflings, Muls, Pterrans, and Thri-Kreen. Every effort will be made to simulate them accurately in terms of attribute adjustments, special abilities, and so forth. Some of these races will require karma, but most will be available at the outset.
Will you support our efforts to construct new fortresses, villages, structures, and so on?
Absolutely! If you build it, the immortals will come (and make your efforts a reality). Whatever you dream up will likely have its own requirements and face different challenges during construction, but it is a pillar of my policy that players be able to shape the world to every reasonable extent.
Will there be default clans?
Yes, there will be. This will range from nobility, to merchant houses, to the Templarates of any cities featured, to elven clans, to militaries ... You get the point. Most of these will be open to players, and in most cases, upward mobility will be extensive with consistent effort and time.
So, I can really start my own clan?
Again, absolutely! See above for my viewpoint on player freedom. Now, it would be up to you to recruit people for this clan, and we might have a requirement for a minimum number of committed members before we code it in. As well, you'd have to build up your influence - we won't let you found it and say within a week that you control Tyr's black market, etcetera. It'll take effort to measure up to the established, thematic clans, but it's absolutely possible. It's also possible to make the wrong moves and place your clan in a Bad Position.
Is Player versus Player combat and role-playing allowed?
Yes. Lie, cheat, murder, steal, backstab, ambush, mug, raid, and whatever else you wish to do. The only requirement is that these actions be IC for your character.
So, the game is non-consent as far as combat, death, being schemed against, etc?
Correct. So long as they are conducting themselves ICly for their character as written, their species, and the world ... Anyone may do anything to any other player. Now, there may be consequences to this, both from other players and from NPCs in cities, clans, villages, and so on. It all depends on the circumstances.
Will Pay for Perks be an element on this game?
Absolutely not. This is a zero donation/profit game founded by a fan of the setting, free to everyone, offering every player an even field upon which to play.
Can I help? If so, what sort of help do you need?
I consider myself to be a good writer and I have already founded a successful RhostMUSH which continues to be lively to this day. However, Diku (especially heavily modified Diku) is a very different creature. I'm going to be on the hunt for builders and assistants to document theme. As well, coders are very much in need, as I am out of my element with this codebase. It would be helpful if you have knowledge of C or C+. Most of all, what I need is commitment from those interested. There is still preexisting documentation and material to be weeded out, and new things both code and documentation to be tweaked in. However, if you're as determined as I am, then we'll get there. If you have any doubts, please give some thought before you apply.
How can I apply to be staff?
Contact me at cronus@darksunrpi.com at this time. In your email, tell me a bit about yourself, your experience, areas of interest in staffing, and knowledge of the Dark Sun setting. Your time zone and availability to contribute would also be helpful. I'd like to get to know the people who are applying, and frankly, to avoid bringing on any abusive or tyrannical personalities. The world may be harsh, but we will offer our players the respect they are due under policy.
How quickly do you plan to have Dark Sun RPI be accessible to players?
As quickly as is possible, pending how fast the necessary staff members come aboard. I am already at work mapping the grid for formal construction, so that should come along without delay. Some aspects of the code need to be tweaked, and a couple need to be introduced in a brand new way. I hope to be able to have players in for a short alpha testing phase, followed by a beta, before too long. However, I will not place expedience above quality. I'd rather you receive a detailed, great world to role-play in than one which was rushed.
So, that's about it for now! Any other questions, please feel free to post or email cronus@darksunrpi.com. You can also reach me via AIM at GS4 Graka. Look forward to working with the community.
After making a futile effort at trying to reason with the staff of a certain game, I have elected to create my own so that I and others may enjoy a campaign setting we all know and love.
Dark Sun RPI is intended to be an accurate representation of the world of Dark Sun as shown in the AD&D 2nd Edition boxed set, from geography to races and beyond. Although the game will take place in but a section of the overall world, it is my intent to still have an extremely large game world full of brutality and grit, with a great many areas to be explored and secrets to be found (as well as horrific monsters to devour you).
So, to address some important points (which I will update in future posts as we move along) ...
Are you committed to and serious about this project?
I wanted to address this first, as I know it's a point of concern for many who have seen projects arise and then disappear. Yes, I am extremely committed. Physical limitations prevent me from doing much of anything except being at my laptop, so you can count on me to be working hard. The primary challenge will be in recruiting a staff to assist me and to code, but that can be resolved with time (or if necessary, via commission for the work).
What engine are you using to build Dark Sun RPI?
The base engine was originally going to be OpenRPI. However, we have since switched to Diku with about 80% original code suited to the setting.
Do you have stable hosting?
I have extremely stable hosting into the indefinite future.
What is the present status of the project?
Code is essentially done. We are working now on documentation and building issues.
Do you plan to have many restrictions, or is this a more relaxed game?
I absolutely aim to create a player-driven world in which you may achieve almost any heights you wish, so long as you've put in the work to get there. Players may form their own clans and raise them to prominence (or lead them to their destruction), attain positions of authority within civilized areas, build new locales through various means, achieve heroic/villanous/wondrous goals, and so on. The big ball of sand is your playground, and the immortals will be here to help you along, not to dominate your efforts to achieve goals and shape the setting.
Will you be using a karma system?
Yes, a karma system is planned to be used in order to restrict certain skillsets and more powerful races. However, my intent is to set a policy which allows us to be more liberal with the dispensing of karma, so long as players show that they are responsible and can handle the power being given to them. Plans at this time dictate that karma will be permanent, rather than a currency depleted when used. I like for people to have options.
Do you plan to implement permadeath?
Yes, permanent death is already coded in.
Will magic be an element in the game?
Yes, it will be. Although rare, magic plays an important role in the Dark Sun setting and will be present in many ways. Players will also have access to magic via the methods described in the books (Elemental Clerics, Defilers, Preservers). Acquiring these play options will take some karma, but access to elemental clerics will come fairly early on.
Will you have crafting and an economy in general?
Yes to both! The intent is to have a very robust crafting system filled with recipes for you to create from the world's many resources.
Where do you plan to set the game in terms of Dark Sun geography?
At this time, Tyr is intended to be the primary city and may well be the only city for quite a while. I don't want to spread things too thinly and leave people without the ability to easily find others to interact with. However, the world beyond the city will be vast and full of opportunity, and will probably stretch out to include aspects of some neighboring regions.
Which races will be available?
Aarakocra, Dwarves, Elves, Half-Elves, Half-Giants, Halflings, Muls, Pterrans, and Thri-Kreen. Every effort will be made to simulate them accurately in terms of attribute adjustments, special abilities, and so forth. Some of these races will require karma, but most will be available at the outset.
Will you support our efforts to construct new fortresses, villages, structures, and so on?
Absolutely! If you build it, the immortals will come (and make your efforts a reality). Whatever you dream up will likely have its own requirements and face different challenges during construction, but it is a pillar of my policy that players be able to shape the world to every reasonable extent.
Will there be default clans?
Yes, there will be. This will range from nobility, to merchant houses, to the Templarates of any cities featured, to elven clans, to militaries ... You get the point. Most of these will be open to players, and in most cases, upward mobility will be extensive with consistent effort and time.
So, I can really start my own clan?
Again, absolutely! See above for my viewpoint on player freedom. Now, it would be up to you to recruit people for this clan, and we might have a requirement for a minimum number of committed members before we code it in. As well, you'd have to build up your influence - we won't let you found it and say within a week that you control Tyr's black market, etcetera. It'll take effort to measure up to the established, thematic clans, but it's absolutely possible. It's also possible to make the wrong moves and place your clan in a Bad Position.
Is Player versus Player combat and role-playing allowed?
Yes. Lie, cheat, murder, steal, backstab, ambush, mug, raid, and whatever else you wish to do. The only requirement is that these actions be IC for your character.
So, the game is non-consent as far as combat, death, being schemed against, etc?
Correct. So long as they are conducting themselves ICly for their character as written, their species, and the world ... Anyone may do anything to any other player. Now, there may be consequences to this, both from other players and from NPCs in cities, clans, villages, and so on. It all depends on the circumstances.
Will Pay for Perks be an element on this game?
Absolutely not. This is a zero donation/profit game founded by a fan of the setting, free to everyone, offering every player an even field upon which to play.
Can I help? If so, what sort of help do you need?
I consider myself to be a good writer and I have already founded a successful RhostMUSH which continues to be lively to this day. However, Diku (especially heavily modified Diku) is a very different creature. I'm going to be on the hunt for builders and assistants to document theme. As well, coders are very much in need, as I am out of my element with this codebase. It would be helpful if you have knowledge of C or C+. Most of all, what I need is commitment from those interested. There is still preexisting documentation and material to be weeded out, and new things both code and documentation to be tweaked in. However, if you're as determined as I am, then we'll get there. If you have any doubts, please give some thought before you apply.
How can I apply to be staff?
Contact me at cronus@darksunrpi.com at this time. In your email, tell me a bit about yourself, your experience, areas of interest in staffing, and knowledge of the Dark Sun setting. Your time zone and availability to contribute would also be helpful. I'd like to get to know the people who are applying, and frankly, to avoid bringing on any abusive or tyrannical personalities. The world may be harsh, but we will offer our players the respect they are due under policy.
How quickly do you plan to have Dark Sun RPI be accessible to players?
As quickly as is possible, pending how fast the necessary staff members come aboard. I am already at work mapping the grid for formal construction, so that should come along without delay. Some aspects of the code need to be tweaked, and a couple need to be introduced in a brand new way. I hope to be able to have players in for a short alpha testing phase, followed by a beta, before too long. However, I will not place expedience above quality. I'd rather you receive a detailed, great world to role-play in than one which was rushed.
So, that's about it for now! Any other questions, please feel free to post or email cronus@darksunrpi.com. You can also reach me via AIM at GS4 Graka. Look forward to working with the community.