Best Of
Re: What do you see as more important right now: Economy Fix or Defense Overhaul?
On the topic of economy stuff, I firmly believe that decay mechanics shouldn't be a driving force of the game economy. They're simply not fun, even if there's a very good reason for them to exist. (Preventing database bloat). There's a reason that people buy non-decay, or get magic item curios, get artifact vials, etc. It's not because it's cheaper (It most certainly is -not-) but because having to spend an hour or two every few months trying to figure out what you need to buy, and reconfiguring reflexes, linking your rift, etc, is really unenjoyable, and honestly a barrier to getting back into the game. While games where you have to periodically upgrade your gear were mentioned, like wow and final fantasy, it's a completely different dynamic in those games, where buying new stuff lets you tackle new challenges and do more content, and that's fun. Decay is not.
Kali
9
Re: QUOTES 8: THE QUOTING
Just found this screenshot from other day, of when Naevari and @Mboagn shared a toast to the estimable @Lendren. And then, totally unrelated to that toast, Naevari moonbeamed to Lendren >.>
Naevari
7
Re: Lusternian Divine AMA
I might as well answer my own questions...
1) I was a generally lone player--I wasn't really connected to many people, even though I was a part of a family. But for the most part, I was doing a first-person campaign in a multiplayer game. So once there got to a point where I felt like there wasn't anything more interesting to do as a player, it felt natural to apply to the Havens. I think it was a smart move on my part. My time in the Havens, and then playing other roleplaying games, made me realise that I am not much of a fan of being a "player." Like, it's fun and whatnot, but I think I get a greater enjoyment by having a bird's eye view.
2) There is a lot of advice that one could give for future Ephemerals; I think a lot of them will revolve around the task of creating that barrier between your former player experience and this new administrator experience. But I think the thing that I find really more helpful is trying to remember to keep things simple. In Havens, you have a lot of tools to play with, which means when you are designing or imagining new quests, areas, etc., it might be easy into what I have been calling "trickiness." I think that bogs a lot of the design down and maybe even makes the learning curve of learning our programming language more difficult. Lusternian players, I think, really value story versus "tricks," so it is always better to have a clearer story that you want to tell rather than trying to do a lot, mechanically.
3) I mean, I mentioned Kidaen, so it is definitely Kidaen. I always enjoyed his plane-wide message about bards being strangled as they countdown for the Free-for-Alls. I really thought Ydryin, the Scorched Hamadryad was cool.
4) I was the one who attempted to do the mirror puzzle in the first Isikathi event with the timequakes. This puzzle is something that is really quintessential to video games, so it was really fun trying to figure out how to translate the operations into our programming language (which was kind of difficult and did end up breaking when players were interfacing with it). I've come to conclusion that programming weird puzzles or other elements from games is something that I really enjoy, and I hope to both revise the original puzzle and make it more streamlined, but also to add other things in the future.
I am not sure if it is much easier to be a God than an Ephemeral in this regard. And I say that because it isn't clear to me if visibility and care are translated or related terms. This got brought up above, where I think both Gods and Players need to negotiate interacting with Gods when they become visible or not. I think Ephemerals get to be more "freer," if only because their entire purpose is to be fleeting and somewhat carefree.
1) I was a generally lone player--I wasn't really connected to many people, even though I was a part of a family. But for the most part, I was doing a first-person campaign in a multiplayer game. So once there got to a point where I felt like there wasn't anything more interesting to do as a player, it felt natural to apply to the Havens. I think it was a smart move on my part. My time in the Havens, and then playing other roleplaying games, made me realise that I am not much of a fan of being a "player." Like, it's fun and whatnot, but I think I get a greater enjoyment by having a bird's eye view.
2) There is a lot of advice that one could give for future Ephemerals; I think a lot of them will revolve around the task of creating that barrier between your former player experience and this new administrator experience. But I think the thing that I find really more helpful is trying to remember to keep things simple. In Havens, you have a lot of tools to play with, which means when you are designing or imagining new quests, areas, etc., it might be easy into what I have been calling "trickiness." I think that bogs a lot of the design down and maybe even makes the learning curve of learning our programming language more difficult. Lusternian players, I think, really value story versus "tricks," so it is always better to have a clearer story that you want to tell rather than trying to do a lot, mechanically.
3) I mean, I mentioned Kidaen, so it is definitely Kidaen. I always enjoyed his plane-wide message about bards being strangled as they countdown for the Free-for-Alls. I really thought Ydryin, the Scorched Hamadryad was cool.
4) I was the one who attempted to do the mirror puzzle in the first Isikathi event with the timequakes. This puzzle is something that is really quintessential to video games, so it was really fun trying to figure out how to translate the operations into our programming language (which was kind of difficult and did end up breaking when players were interfacing with it). I've come to conclusion that programming weird puzzles or other elements from games is something that I really enjoy, and I hope to both revise the original puzzle and make it more streamlined, but also to add other things in the future.
I think one of the differences here is actually no longer an issue: affinity. I think because of the nature of Ephemerals, they were able to really exist "outside" their "home" org to a greater extent than the Gods, which might have allowed them to be more "beloved." It'll be interesting to see if that changes, especially since now we have Gods able to take on players from different orgs more liberally or have Gods who are more interested in interacting with folks outside their home orgs.As a general question from this, sometimes it feels Ephermeral characters are sometimes more loved than actual role you take. That everyone seems to go 'oooh, I wonder what is happening' when an ephemeral shows up, regardless of their 'org', whereas generally only the elder's home org will care about them when they show up.From an RP pov, Do you feel like it is easier to be a full on god than an Ephermeral because of this small pool of people that care when such a being is visible?
I am not sure if it is much easier to be a God than an Ephemeral in this regard. And I say that because it isn't clear to me if visibility and care are translated or related terms. This got brought up above, where I think both Gods and Players need to negotiate interacting with Gods when they become visible or not. I think Ephemerals get to be more "freer," if only because their entire purpose is to be fleeting and somewhat carefree.
Terentia
7
Re: QUOTES 8: THE QUOTING
While discussing the tried and true parenting method of locking his children in The Box.
Voice muffled by his mask, you say, "Zau, you learned Geomancy to escape the box. Vella just learned necromancy and let herself die to wait it out."
Nightmarish Lady Vella d'Vanecu, Vidamesse Rasant says, "It was a wonderful rest."
Uzriel
5
Re: QUOTES 8: THE QUOTING
Togna tells you, "Hello and goodbye fossil brother."
You caress the thoughts of Publisher Togna, of Skinder News as you whisper, "Fossil?!"
Togna tells you, "It stands for Fantastic older sibling since I lived."
Togna tells you, "I am working on my acronyms!"
Eritheyl
6
A Whole New Wyrd Part II: The Aftermath
Behold, another log dump! A lot of things have happened with the Treewump, and many for the better!
Down Low and Too Slow --- https://pastebin.com/cYw1w5YN
The Tree and The Bee --- https://pastebin.com/n7WeFQpv
An Awkward Tea Room --- https://pastebin.com/eWjpXL0j
Don't make like a Tree and LEAVE --- https://pastebin.com/f1xRXmzJ
Making Fun News --- https://pastebin.com/fvS9i35p
And that's it for now! I promise, not everything is sad for the dear Treewump! Good logs are headed your way soon
!
Down Low and Too Slow --- https://pastebin.com/cYw1w5YN
With several beats of their wings, Esei alights upon your shoulder.
You have emoted: Cheliyi flinches, before she grows still.
Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "... Greetings, Auspice."
You think to yourself: **brown, drying in your mind until it almost becomes a charcoal grey** Wyrd, why now? I do not want to face anyone, not like this.
You tell The Basin's Friend, Gurashi An'Ryshe, the Crescendo, "**green and brown mixed in a brighter swirl** I am... alright. I am glad to hear you are okay."
@Esei go to bed --- https://pastebin.com/dgYiY9TzYou tell The Basin's Friend, Gurashi An'Ryshe, the Crescendo, "**a hint of purple** I... didn't see you, when I returned that day. And then for a whole month... I was simply a little worried. **motes of yellow** But you are alright! And that is okay."
Gurashi's melodic voice sings into your mind, "... *a swirl of muted pastels* ... yes ... well. Is. Muchly to process. I am still here, for now, because, I... did it wrongly before."
You tell The Basin's Friend, Gurashi An'Ryshe, the Crescendo, "**a sudden flash of pale orange** No! You did nothing wrong. People just would not listen, because they were rude. **the orange extinguished by a wash of blue** ... I am sorry I did not speak up as much as I should have. I will do better next time. They would not let you speak."
You greet Esei with a respectful nod, leaves swishing.
Esei approaches quietly, dark eyes almost vacant and appearing tired.
@Ethna being best Sibling --- https://pastebin.com/tRwC2SaSEsei approaches quietly, dark eyes almost vacant and appearing tired.
Esei tilts their head back and looks up at the sky.
You have emoted: Cheliyi pauses, before her branches seem to droop in sympathy. "... Are you alright, Esei?"
Glancing at the Master Ravenwood, you say, "You said you wished to go hunt? I am not sure where to go, for those sorts of things."
HEWWO GLOMMIES --- https://pastebin.com/VgcBM3vfEthna looks about herself, rubbing her chin thoughtfully.
Ethna D'Rose says, "We could see what is available on Astral, though I cannot guarantee your safety there..."
The eyes of Ethna go briefly out of focus.
Worn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "..."
@Afollia drags Cheliyi out of her depression --- https://pastebin.com/q0QcMnpzWorn, like a weathered piece of driftwood, you say, "If I attacked you, would you die?"
Softly, Darach Tylwyth Ebonrose says, "Sorry."
Softly, Darach Tylwyth Ebonrose says, "I don't know."
You tell Spinner Afollia Ebonrose, the Grand Diviner, "**muted green and yellow, fringed by grey** Er, hello Miss Afollia! I think you... wanted to speak to me sometime? I'm sorry, I don't usually try meet up with others, so I'm not sure what a normal meeting would be! Is there something you would like to do?"
Cheliyi's favorite music --- https://pastebin.com/65FJZJFPBarely above a creak, you say, "Er... Honestly? I do not feel like doing something daring, again."
Lief's ears twitch, and she leans over an origami tea cup, watching you expectantly.
You have emoted: Cheliyi glances at Adrien, before staring blankly at the ground.
Adrien tilts his head curiously at you, offering only a soft "Hmm?" in your direction.
Barely above a creak, you say, "Oh! I mean, Honesty. I misspoke."
Comprehension flashes across Capobanda's face.
==== You flowed to another room ====
You smile, lips creaking softly.
Barely above a creak, you say, "Hello."
Esei blinks.
Gurashi's hands fly to their mouth as they give a short gasp of elation.
Echoing with a subtle purr, Wyrden Auspice Esei Shee-Slaugh of the Ascending Dusk says, "Hello. You snuck in."
Bizirik stalks in from the ether, wings spread as it clicks and thrums softly.
Bizirik, the leothin drops a pretty violet letter into your hands.
With a playful chirr, Bizirik turns sharply and scampers off to the ether.
You blink.
You read what is written on a pretty violet letter.
**The handwriting is shaky and spaced awkwardly, written with what seem
to be large, clumsy hands. Light scratch marks mark the paper, leaving
behind rubbed bark and bits of moss.**
Dear Gurashi **This has been hastily scratched out with a shaky hand**
Dear Friend **This has been struck out once, tear stains marring the
ink**
Dear Sibling Gurashi,
And that's it for now! I promise, not everything is sad for the dear Treewump! Good logs are headed your way soon
!
Cheliyi
8
Re: Simple Ideas
Can there just be a way to toggle huge ASCII things like fireworks off, without turning all of screenreader mode on?
Eritheyl
10
Re: Lusternian Divine AMA
The Quizmaster turns their attention to the Divine.
1) In the spirit of Ephemeral Season closing, what motivated you to apply to be an Ephemeral?
2) What is one suggestion that you would give to anyone who may apply to be an Ephemeral in the future?
3) Who have been your favorite Ephemeral characters (note, not the admin because that is rude, but like, the persona that they portrayed; e.g. Kidaen, the Empyrean Bard)?
4) What has been the most enjoyable thing you created or contributed to the game? Bonus points if it was something that you did as an Ephemeral.
1) In the spirit of Ephemeral Season closing, what motivated you to apply to be an Ephemeral?
2) What is one suggestion that you would give to anyone who may apply to be an Ephemeral in the future?
3) Who have been your favorite Ephemeral characters (note, not the admin because that is rude, but like, the persona that they portrayed; e.g. Kidaen, the Empyrean Bard)?
4) What has been the most enjoyable thing you created or contributed to the game? Bonus points if it was something that you did as an Ephemeral.
Terentia
6
(c) Iron Realms Entertainment 2012.