Tag: dragonslayer

The Brujah Return (for IOQC)

by Tharius

So I mentioned getting myself ready for IOQC but what about the IOQC?

This month’s quest was hosted by the Order of Inconnu written by Lady Velya herself.  I quested on Tharius as part of the Dragonslayer team which also consisted of Sophie, Yibaroane, Malfian and Gagnon.

The quest had us retrieving ancient tablets from increasingly more difficult Brujah warriors.  The first warrior was straightforward and in fact stopped the fight before we killed him off.  We had returned to General Assembly for a clue since he had turned himself pacifist but it turned out he was waiting for a little briberooni 🙂

The next two warriors kicked like mules though.  Of course both used a great number of vampiric attacks but also rained a fair amount of gouges and hellfire into my life (I really have to find a good way to cut hellfire down, it’s starting to show up everywhere!!).  A couple of deaths and regroups and we managed to get the job done, switching to ambrosias for the last fight really helped recover from the gouge lag.

I’ve been running around investigating the history of the old clans so to see a direct reference to Brujah here was nice.  Of course both the Inconnu and Brujah are themselves references to White Wolf Games Vampire:The Masquerade so the reference may not have been to the in game pk clan but rather to the original source material but either way, nicely written and themed.

Congrats to DS for coming first in this event, I was proud of our team for working well together.  Solutions to the clues came from 3 different people and lots of suggestions and communication team wide.  Congrats to the other teams as well, I didn’t mind waiting 45 minutes to pester Destre for glory work while you guys were still out and adventuring! 🙂

Good luck next time!!

The pros and cons of CON

by Tharius

Last week we saw a new effect come into play with CON now directly aiding in damage mitigation and surprisingly CON past your class maximum would still apply to this effect.

My initial, reserved reaction was that I didn’t know if I liked the idea of using stats beyond the class limits.  This feeling was precipitated by the satisfaction I get from building a character and hitting the maximums in a particular build.  Knowing that you can add beyond the limits means that there’s always some bonus that I’m neglecting to achieve.  For me, and to others like me with a tip of the hat to Fight Club … this is like a cut on the roof of your mouth that would go away if you’d only stop tonguing it, but you can’t.  Stat effects past the boundaries are the Marla Singer of video games.

Ok so that’s out of my system.  That’s the initial reaction: knee-jerk and unqualified.

Of course the only way to qualify an opinion is to go out there and get beat up in some consistent manner and see how much of a reduction there is.  Or wait for Gagnon of Dragonslayer to do some initial testing .. you know, one way or the other 🙂  I’ll note that the only qualified opinion I can give is about opdamage, though I rather suspect mpdamage or rpdamage would be identical.  It’s difficult to quantify in a combat situation because of the number of variables not only from round to round but also from repop to repop (ever had a higher level repop of Danbala?).

I was pleased to find that the effect appears to have a fairly low floor where the player won’t feel more damage.  I didn’t observe any increase in damage on my characters, but I didn’t put a great effort into seeing how low I could drive my con, though I may.  It’s taken me a little while, but I am getting my head around the idea that penalties don’t have to be directly applied to players … as in the lack of con causing more damage than normal, that the lack of a benefit can be a penalty in and of itself.

On the upper end it appears that hitting class limits gives you a decent little reduction to your damage taken, certainly enough to consider adding CON where possible but not so much that I’d give up a radical amount of hit points to accommodate it.  Gagnon managed to push a build to 47 con, which I applaud heartily but did so to the exclusion of every other stat.  The character saw a continuous reduction in damage taken, though we did observe that beyond the class limits the effect does slow down, but by 47 con it was quite a nice reduction.  Too bad you’d be a one-hit-wonder for anything better than a Darkhaven guard, but hey, you’d get your reduction!  *grin*

So where does this fall into the worth the effort/not worth the effort spectrum?  I think that it’s fairly clear that this should fall into the category of an optimization.  New players don’t need to stress out about this, just take con into account when you’re making a new character.  Ultimately I don’t think this mitigation is going to cause you to survive a fight that you otherwise couldn’t.  You may survive a few close calls because of it but in the final analysis if you couldn’t quaff your way out of trouble before, you’re still in trouble.  Where this does have a nice shine to it is that it may save you some equipment damage and gold in heals, which if you’re an active player is probably not insignificant.  If you are on a tanking character where hit points, AC and damage evasion are far more important than DR, then trading DR for CON probably makes sense.  Is it worth glorying extra CON on?  That’s up to you.  1 con will cost you the same as 7.5 hp … The numbers depend on where in the spectrum you are but I don’t think you’re going to save 7.5 hp per round unless there’s more than 1k of damage coming through sanc and protect per round.  Straight mitigation doesn’t make the case here.  On a long term basis there is an argument that more CON = less heals but that doesn’t translate directly into a gold/glory cost analysis since the days to glory trading came to an end.  Were glory trading legal, you could probably save gold if you were an active enough runner by buying CON.

It remains to be seen if this will translate into lower equipment damage.  This is the one spot where this could be a shining star.  If tanks can stay in a fight longer because the damage is lessened and their equipment isn’t being so heavily hit then I would say every tank should load up all the free CON they can grab.  Simultaneously it will reduce repair costs giving a second direct economic benefit to the player who doesn’t want to spend their time golding for repair bills.

All in all I think this is a good change.  What changed my mind about pushing past the class limits was my experience building my character in Diablo 3.  I can take things as far as I want to, starting thinking in terms of “effective health” instead of raw hit points.  It goes against the grain of the Realms of Despair, but I think it’s worthwhile.  I can see not eliminating the stat caps on characters because it would require a total review of everything that is dependent on those limits, but selectively breaking the cap seems a great compromise.  As with saving throws the numbers are not directly read off the score screen (I won’t see myself with 27 con by typing score) so some element of mystery remains, even if many database programs (my own included) will count the actual totals.

There and back again and again and again :)

by Tharius

It’s been a while since I made a post here, sorry to anyone who follows the blog 🙂  There has been a TON of stuff going on both on and off Realms and I have been very negligent in updating realmsofdespair.info.

When I returned to Realms I decided I would see what the RP community on Realms is doing.  By and large the answer is nothing.  I tried to start some threads and find out what had been going on from older players but by and large my efforts have been met with the response “Hold off, there’s a big quest to shuffle the story lines coming”.  So I’ve held off.  I expressed interest in becoming the Half-Elf Nation Leader (currently vacant) and earned the support of some former leaders … but again, hold off for the quest where I’ll have an opportunity to step forward.  Unfortunately I’ve held off quite some time and still haven’t seen the quest materialize.  This apparently all extends back to story lines began in the Nations Olympics around August 2012… this amounts to 5,000 Realms years?  It’s tough to maintain an interest when notes appear roughly quarterly.  The Nations were supposed to be mortal driven initiatives, yet mortal initiatives are being stifled?

With that said, there’s at least one person who, if they read this blog, is probably annoyed with what I’m saying.  I’m sorry if I offended you, but this is my outsider opinion as a player who tried to become active in RP on Realms and who still is interested in participating.  I’m demanding nothing, but asking you to consider that introducing a story line that is inconsistent with the past but is active is perhaps better than absolutely no visible activity.  As an aside I have worked hard to ensure Tharius’ story lines have deliberately made him look ignorant of the history of the Elohai nation to allow any old story thread to be resurrected and blindside him.

Well, I suppose this turned into a little bit of an RP rant, sorry everyone, I’ll wrap this up with the history of Tharius I wrote in May.  I tried to put it into an in character description of my journey on the Realms of Despair from Tharius’ point of view.  The beauty of it is that if I’ve forgotten something, it’s Tharius’ poor memory not mine and of course, leaves room for others to have differing opinions of events that occurred.

 

It has been many years since I have set quill to parchment to relate my
personal history. Perhaps it is long past due … I relate this to you, for I
suppose few remember … One day perhaps we will sit and relate more tales of
the past but for today …

I am the only child of Wayrrm and Lomyre, half-elves, undistinguished
merchants who traded simple goods from the various lands long before the
Shattering changed the face of the Realms. I spent many years cataloging the
particulars of this potion or that wand so that we could obtain more if the
demand arose. I traveled most of the lands of the Realms with them, meeting
many people of all races.

On one of our final tours I met with an old ranger, Daltorak Astoras, who told
me of his adventures and his life in Darkhaven. Enchanted with thoughts of
dragon slaying, treasures hidden away and carried forth in my hands, at 17 I
journeyed to Darkhaven myself where I learned quickly to fend for myself.

I explored the surrounding hills and forests but quickly found myself alone.
Desiring the company of others I joined the Guild of Rangers where I learned
much about the world of adventure that I had volunteered for. Many of those
names still ring in my memory … indeed many of them went on to great renown,
even answering the call to join Thoric’s immortals. I made many friends and
true, indeed in short time I took a bride and we took the name Dawnbreaker for
our own.

Others flocked to my banner, healers like Yardan the Wise, the wizard Shantir
and even those like Thavius who could steal the eyes out of your head while
you blinked and not be caught! Indeed, through Yardan I reached out for more
power and became Dragonslayer. Bitter are my memories of my departure from
the Guild, for in my blind ambition and through harsh and careless words I
offended and hurt many. I turned my back on them all and lost a wife to
neglect.

Still, though I often sought glory and riches I was often to be found aiding
those new to our land … many was the year that I spent with a Councillor’s
Badge of Honour around my neck. It was in the council headquarters I became
aware that I had fallen victim to a curse I would wish on no mortal … I fell
in love with a Goddess … She was beautiful and terrible … gentle with
innocents yet the enslaver of some of the most vicious demons I have yet
witnessed.

It pleased her to walk the Realms in mortal form from time to time and for
reasons I will never know she agreed to become my bride. The goddess Sarah
wed me to Darmha and to this day she haunts me for we were not wed long before
her immortal form fell from the Heavens and has not been seen again in these
Realms. The shade of her mortal form lingers on, beautiful and deadly, but
the light in those eyes is gone. I have long quested to discover what
transpired but that is another tale.

Shattered I withdrew into Blackraven Citadel, leaving only for adventure and
blood lust or to take part in councils to help shape our great land. Truly I
tell you that when you stare into the blackness of oblivion it stares back at
you. I threw myself into slaughter. In the lands of La Chute, where I heard
her name whispered in the stones, I endlessly traveled … and in La Chute I
fell, mortally stricken. As I fell from the mountain, wind whistling in my
hair, the screams of my comrades in my ears as they fell along side me, I felt
a cold calm I have never felt before or since… for a moment things became
still …

… and as I hit the ground, I fell through it into the cupped hands of the
Immortal Edmond. The power the crackled about him cannot be conveyed to you
now and I have no record of the words that passed between us but when I again
opened my eyes upon the Realms, it was with a holy light shining behind them
… I had ascended and joined Thoric’s immortals.

My time in the heavens was brief … the pride and ambition which had driven
me into battle after battle overrode even the clarity and joy of the heavens.
When the demon’s slavering teeth came and tore me into oblivion I hoped for
the end, yet there was no end for me. Reformed in a new body I returned to
the Citadel cold and alone.

In time I returned to my searching. I sought out others to help me invade the
land of the Ancients. Though many came for the bounty, true and close friends
joined me, the druid Turlough and the druidess Raemakion took the name
Dawnbreaker and joined my cause. Ahh, not since the early days in Darkhaven
did I revel in companionship the way I did with these druids … and slowly a
part of the darkness cracked and fell away.

In my travels, always at my side was Aurale. Though her tale is not mine to
tell, it suffice to say we were inseparable though we often disagreed. Though
we never wed, we were kindred spirits and soothed the hurts the world had
given us.

There came a day however, when we chose to part. In that parting, in that
rage, grief … I turned my back on the Realms and walked away. No more would
I seek the glory and adventure, instead, I would discover new lands but only
journey through them. Homeless … alone.

Much of what transpired would make little sense here. Indeed, much of it is
strange to me now. On another plane of existence I battled against mighty
devils and demons and within me awoke a desire to return to these lands. I
left much undone when I left these lands … and though while I have been gone
Ages have risen and fallen, over 40,000 years have passed, I still have my
youth and vigor.

My travels have changed me greatly. While I still set my own goals I no
longer crave power and adulation. The darkness gave way to a new light, long
ago. Indeed I set foot again in Darkhaven with only the urge to excel against
my own achievements. I have left the days of Dragonslaying behind me and
forsaken the ancient oath of enmity against the Inconnu. I will join those
who seek excellence, no matter where I find them.

I have spent the last 100 years learning much of how this land has changed,
wandering the pathways and roads, seeing the new villages … learning of
the wars that have ravaged the nations. I have not set foot again in La Chute
but it seems to me that before long I must go there. There are mysteries in
my past which I must solve lest they consume me. Perhaps we shall share in
these mysteries together, my friends.

My fingers cramp from holding this quill, my friends, and surely you tire of
my tale … but this is but a start. From here we write a new chapter.

Tharius Dawnbreaker, Elohai

(sealed in forest green wax, the seal a crown atop an apsen)

A conference or meeting to discuss a particular subject.

by Tharius

Oh what’s the title about?  You’ll either have to ask Romani or bear with me a minute.

Once upon a time in the Realms of Despair I was part of both mortal councils simultaneously.  Tharius had been in the Newbie Council for years and Raemakoin became the Guild of Druids Symposium representative.  Later after imming and deimming, Tharius became the Symposium rep for Dragonslayers.

In casting about for ideas on how to participate in the Realms I remembered how much I enjoyed The Symposium so I had no hesitation in asking Romani if I could become an “at large” member.

I didn’t know how this would go over, certainly it’s been a long time and a lot of things in the Realms have changed that I am still not aware of, so a “not now” would not have been all that much of a surprise.

The mudmail went off to Beleth and Sunday night I logged in hoping to meet up for a quick interview after the regular meeting.  By the end of the meeting I was back in the Symposium and eager to get caught up.

Thanks Romani, Beleth, Stoneheft and anyone else who participated in this decision.

If you have ideas that you’d like to help develop and get into the game, feel free to drop the Symposium a line either by mailing one of the members directly or by posting on the TS board in the Town Hall.

Getting my feet on the ground

by Tharius

It’s amazing how many of the commands and how many details of the Realms I instantly recalled.  It didn’t take too long to track down Arca who has been keeping my chars alive for years.  Only a few autodeleted, like Raspberry the Paladin and Darhma the Thief (Darmha and Tharius were mudmarried back when she was Julie’s thief).  A big thanks to Raveyn and Kyrna of the Order of Arete for helping with that.

Unsurprisingly in the years that Turlough held the characters and the years since that Arca has held them, a lot of the equipment has been shuffled around, used elsewhere, traded, sold or whatever.  In all fairness, if I held someone’s characters for a decade I’d think of them as mine and do pretty well what I pleased too.  Notwithstanding, by shuffling things around I’ve got several very usable characters ready to use.

So the big question was do I rejoin the Order of Dragonslayer?  I felt at home there, once upon a time, and since I still had Claws of the Wyrm on my hands I thought it was a no brainer to go ahead and rejoin.  I remember Sophie and Joe from Guild of Druid runs to Danbala (and elsewhere) and think well of them, I’ve had no problems with either of them and I haven’t been around if there have been controversies.

Something I realize in coming back to the game is that I’m looking for a social environment.  I joined and left Diablo 3 clans for that reason, I can play well enough alone but I am looking for some comradeship.  When it comes to Realms I enjoy exploring and running.  It’s ok to spend 3 hours and only come home with a green line of text because that’s the game.  Not really all that different than Diablo farming in that regard, you’re building up characters and using them to take you further into the game.

In the first few days back I was very excited to be back and active.  I wanted to jump back into running and to help rebuild Dragonslayer.  Hell if I had my way I’d also build a Facebook app out of the Flash MUD client on the Realms main page and herald a new flow of players into the Realms.  I got re-inducted, asked for and got wiki access and proceeded to straighten out some of my characters.

It’s times like this that I get myself into trouble.  I take on too much, get disappointed when I don’t get big results, give up and move on.  I’ve learned a few things along the way and I have to take a breath and acknowledge some things to myself; the current situation is not my fault and no one expects me to fix it, I contribute best when I am engaged and that it’s okay to just want to participate and set my own goals in the game.

While getting organized I chummed with Raveyn and Arca a fair amount, naturally.  I came to acknowledge that in the time I was online there were always a number of active Arete around who have been pretty friendly thus far.  Simultaneously with the exception of 2 old friends, I have seen very few Dragonslayers online.  Lounging at the Summit was a frequent activity, back in the day, but there were always people coming or going.

When I was asked if I’d like to apply to Arete I really had a moral crisis.  I want to help Dragonslayer rebuild, the order was good to me and I think it’d be very satisfying to see it active but I’ve come to question whether I am at a point where I’m able to help.  Yes, I can be around and be active but with my current commitments to family, school and work I don’t think I should make any serious time commitments.  Next, I need to relearn the runs and learn to play at competitive level like I did in the past.  That means I need mentors to learn from or else it will be a very long process.  As much as it stinks, I don’t see a mentor like that in DS for me.  Yes, some of the players who are playing in DS could fill that role, but if we’re not on at the same time or miss each other, then it doesn’t work out.

I understand there’s been some housecleaning of old, inactive characters (ha, like me!) but more than that, there seems to have been an exodus a little while ago to Arete.  I have heard bits and pieces about this and I believe there are hurt feelings among those directly involved, so all I’ll say here is that my decision to leave Dragonslayer and join Arete was purely based on my own situation and not a reflection of what has gone on over the last few months (especially).  If I could have kept a foot in both orders I would have but neither order allows it.  Perhaps I should have held off on the request for re-induction or for the wiki access so that there’d be no question of my motives.  I wish DS all the best and if I can still contribute from Arete, I’m happy to help.  Creemore, Sophie, Joe, I hope there are no hard feelings and I hope that we will run together soon.

 

There and back again …

by Tharius

After many years away I decided to check out what’s been going on with the Realms of Despair.  I was active in the game from about 1998-2003 or so and returning after so much time has been quite the experience.

I logged in on Thursday April 4, 2013 and created a new character, hoping to find either someone I knew or perhaps even the keeper of my old characters.  It wasn’t long before I found Zistrosk, the Guildmaster of the Guild of Druids, who has been a friend of many years.  With a loaner avatar from him I was freed from the constant need for food and drink, a simple but annoying part of pre-avatar life!

Even logging in and sitting at Guild of Druids recall brought back a flood of memories.  When I regularly played in 2002 I was engaged to a lady who also played the Realms, known as Aurale.  When we broke off our engagement I simply left the realms and didn’t find a way to play the game on my own again.  It seems odd after all this time that I would have to face that, but that’s exactly what came to the surface … mourning an old relationship that we both have moved far past as if it was still fresh.  I also had memories surface of the time I spent with the immortal Julie off the MUD and my grief when she died but I did mourn her back then and so while sad, the hurt was an old one and perhaps better healed.  I have to admit, it was the hardest part of rejoining the Realms.

There are many, many friends who are no longer in the realms; people from the Guilds of Druids and Rangers, from the Order of Dragonslayers, from the Symposium or the Newbie Council, the immortals I was acquainted with, heck even people who were just characters everyone knew.  So here’s a little shout out to some of them, drop me a line if you ever visit: Alisia, Illiana, Shingo, Pheayre, Hoerkin, Xopus, Forgrim, Dirca, Hawpch, Linda, Edmond … The list grows all the time as I wander the Realms, wherever you are, I hope you are all doing well.