Another idea would be to allow a single specialization for people that have skills ranked at 5. The specialization would allow a slight to moderate or whatever we decide on bonus to the use of said skill when it pertains to the specialization.
Example being:
Single handed weaponry
On reaching level 5 they pick X specialzation, giving them a bonus when using said weapon of choice.
Thieving Could have specialzations for picking locks, stealth, picking pockets, etc...
Kinship and or liason could have ones for various races, social setting (high class/street smarts) or animals
Course it would mean coming up with at least a few options for each talent. But I think it would be less complicated than extra abilities and add flavor to individual characters.
The feedback I get when discussing like things is that people aren't using the skills they already have. I'd say that's true, some cluttering up the system seems like a moot point. With no benefit, it certainly runs the risk of just confusing things.
As for Talents, you've mastered your talent at level 5. You can't get any better. Specializing makes little sense.
Well this is just an idea but I do recall that the system we had in play on TTD was rather interesting. The different factions and the way the RP centered on them and their struggle against one another brought meaning to the game. People wanted to out do one another, there was competition, and the only problem I can see arising is people getting too out of hand in OOC.
There are factions in this game as well. Archangel you might want to read up in the "Lore" section of the site. Wolf, you know I am here and willing to help. Always.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
I wouldn't know. I was not around for TTD. From what I understand those factions you speak of caused a lot of player friction that I, personally, would not want to see here.
Eternity
“Put some clothes on, you weird, yellow-eyed, table-dancing, werewolf-training, cryptic, stare-me-right-in-the-eyes-and-don't-even-blink wench.”
I think if we approach the situation acknowledging that there were issues in the past, that we could easily side step the majority of the issues we had in TTD. Learn from out mistakes, etc. Besides most successful games and RPG's especially MMORPGS have factions or opposing organizations. Not saying that it's needed to make a successful setting but I'm sure it helps. ^.^
All it takes is one to make a virtual space uncomfortable for a day or two. People, especially gamers, are never mature about their competitive spirits all the time and the current system we use isn't built for faction vs. faction scenarios, I think.
For the most part this is a 'free for all' style of writing where we mainly use the numbers as a reference for our character's strengths. Some people are good sports, some aren't. I think the faction thing would work better if we reverted back to dice or even the whole "AP" thing of TTD.
To be completely honest I remember thinking that the AP system was amazing back when I first joined up with TTD. I'd never encountered a system like it during my travels from one RP forum to the next. I didn't come back to make everything the way it was though, I was just putting forth an idea for consideration.
I will say though that I honestly believe that a faction vs faction scenario, along with a solid line of promotion would help the sites activity.
Unfortunatly the bigest thing holding back the Factions here is the number of players we have. Once we get those picked up and people joining factions I would not be surprised if there were threads where there were different goals for the players based on the factions they were in. Not a huge thing, but maybe something for flavor. Again this all hinges on participation.
Yup. So not to just outright discount anyone, here's my response to some things:
- More skills. As said, it seems people don't use them anyways. Magic is highly customizable, there is an endless amount of unique gear, there's your own mix of talents and how you rp them - more skills might seem nice but I don't think it's needed. If I added up my acclaim I would probably be maxed out skill wise. I'm at end game. And I'd love to dream up something for when that happens to other people (prestige class lol) but really, there just doesn't seem to be something that adds to the game rather than just makes things more confusing.
PVP is not against the rules. It's just not the setting. I would rather play with friends than against them because animosity between players just plain sucks. Yep, TTD was a great game. The pvp was it's biggest lure and ultimately it's downfall as well. Our factions were created for two reasons - to have the player be a part of something bigger than their own selves and to add some more structure to the world. There hasn't been a large deal of interest and not enough players have stuck about in recent history. That and you can't simply 'be' in a faction when you join, though we may have to revue that. We also don't have leadership for the factions.
Ok, so I have archived all the dormant character sheets. Should those people show, admin can retrieve them.
My apologies if I sounded harsh in response to the suggestion of more skill-related ideas. I've tossed a few of these around before and made little ground.
Sounds good, could be a can of worms if too complicated. However we could keep it simple if we work at it ;P. however I am back although not in full swing as I am still recovering from my bouts of illness and now that I no longer have the attention span of a guppy, I can apply it here. You know my deal boss man, point me in a direction and I will go.