AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic - Alternate Beginnings

The Academy of Nec'perya

We are now about to kick off a long list of player run events for the drow city of Nec'perya, during which you can be introduced to the world and culture of the underdark in a completely in game fashion. It is based on the classical Menzoberrazan academy lore, during which you can particpate in as one of the following:

- female cleric of lolth
- female / male arcanists (sorcerer, wizard)
- female / male bard, barbarian, fighter, ranger, rogue

For more unique cases, such as a cleric or future blackguard of Selevatarm or shifters we will of course make the effort to accomedate you as well. That goes for pretty much everything, though it would be great if you can give us a heads up so we can prepare for it. The classes we ask you to refrain from for the alternate beginings are monks, druids, paladins and dragon disciples.

We are also putting in an effort to not only grant you an opportunity to explore the world as a drow soley in the academic aspect, but working on making sure you also will have a good amount of the social aspects of drow life. That in addition of course to the roleplay outside of this academic and drow social rp, that the already established player factions or underdark dm might engage you with.

Older characters are welcome as both students and teachers. If is enjoyable, we will continueously repeat the events down the road. We also do not mind if you want to use this plot for a more detailed backstory for a future elistreean, vhaerunite or similarly 'outcast' character.

Questions or feedback are most welcome. Can either post them here, or send a pm. I will be glad to help anyone out.

For a sneak peek of what kind of events you can be a part of, take a look ----> here <----.

Quote:

Course 1 – 0: Introduction, Semester 1

Some of you females might climb the ladder to one day be ordained as a high priestesses of the Queen of Spiders, and may even rise to become a matron mother ruling over her own house. Some of you males might become leaders of the Vanguard, arch mages and warriors of powerful houses, and patrons to the matrons who rule over them.

Others of you will be weeded out for being weak. To be forgotten, for you were never worth to be remembered. Your only legacy will be that you were the stepping stone of someone superior who displaced you, or used you for their own ambition. Lolth and Nec'perya has no use for the weak, but you will serve your purpose either way.

Yet you will learn to work together for the glory of Lolth and this city. You will obey your superiors, and in return gain the tools to transform the desires of your ambition into reality, or die trying. You will learn how to spin your webs, and coax others to trap themselves within them; to weed out the weak from the strong.

- Ahlysaaria Ussen d'Vhid

I really, really like this idea. I don't think I can participate though, because I do still have a PC tangentially-and-distantly involved with Nec'perya and, the more pertinent factor, I probably don't have the time anymore. But if it turns out I can squeeze in I'd love to give it a shot. Hells, I wouldn't mind signing up to teach with Ada'vrae, again if I have time, and if you'll have me.

One slight criticism though - is that I always felt that the Menzo standard you want to base off, while perhaps the most-detailed lore, is rather weakly-written. I mean, the level of extremism might work for novels (if you can say they work at all), but wider drow society and particular the server's local Underdark should strive to be more progressive - it just makes for a more interesting story that way, I feel. But, then - some people really prefer hardline Menzo style, so perhaps you would rather accomodate them.

In which direction the local Underdark strives I leave completely in the hands of the characters' story lines. One of the goals I personally set with this is to make it evident that lothite drow lore does not only have one 'correct' way or is absolute in every aspect of it. It is completly up to the characters in what they teach (or are allowed to teach), how it is received and practiced, and if there will be story based impulses for change or not.

This also falls in hand to my other intent of making drow roleplay less daunting. You as a player will actually know what your character was taught, and do not have to fear being evaluated by your research of d&d books that detail a manifold different versions of lothite drow.

In other words, saying it is based on the classical Menzoberrazan academy lore is just that. Due to ic reasons, that is the model for this project. The teachings are a local interpredation of it, that will have it's own flavor and be subject to the natural evolution by the community. Simply a short cut to describe the theme for those interrested. It goes without saying that Nec'perya is not Menzoberrazan, and it's own situation, characters and trials will create it's own theme. In a way, taking the ooc discussion out of it and leaving it for the story to decide.

I would personally love to have my Drow be a student here. I'm very new to playing Drow and was pretty lost for the first few days (still kinda am >.>). So an IC way of learning about these things would be absolutely perfect! Hopefully I can make it to the designated times. I'm looking forward to this.

Currently I am aiming to set two event slots for this a week if needed. Same lesson, but for convience of the players. Down the road I also hope we can have a subforum, so that after the week's lessons have been concluded, I can put up a written version for the players to read if they were unable to make it. That will also help you being able to read back up on anything that was previously the subject of an event.

That in addition to all of the teacher characters being able to host and spice things up optional lessons and events, that can take place whenever.Much will really depend on how big the interrest is, and how many other players would enjoy hosting lessons themself. Not to mention, after the first run the former students will be able to become teachers themself and have access to all the material for their own lessons.

I have never participated in a new character event. I have never played a drow. I have never played any other class except for cleric (with a couple of mid-level exceptions).

I would like to join this.

Yo Pony, my self and Sam made drow the other day as you're aware, they're level 15, I don't suppose there's any way we might be able to still join in?

There sure is! Characters can be new or old as students. For those who feel their characters no longer fit the student profile, those are welcome to help out as teachers. Both Dro and Miz'ri are welcome to join this.

There will also be quite a few events for those outside of the academy to be able to participate in.

I've put my hand up to help with this. I encourage anyone who has been curious about playing drow to give this a shot as well as any ex-drow players who are interested in giving drow another crack and to see what the Nec'perya community is like these cycles.

Genar_Detkasa wrote:

I've put my hand up to help with this. I encourage anyone who has been curious about playing drow to give this a shot as well as any ex-drow players who are interested in giving drow another crack and to see what the Nec'perya community is like these cycles.

I second everything in this.

including the fact that I've volunteered to help.

Okay, great. So what do you need from those interested?

I do not need much from you guys and gals. Most important is your timezone and playtimes, so I can try to find a time that works. Your drow's gender and class is all the ic information I really need. If you are interrested in fleshing out your background, I'd be glad to look over anything you might want to toss my way.

Both a post here, or a pm directly to me work well.

Edit: Oh, and if you want to add a few lines on what type of roleplay you are looking for or enjoy the most, I will do my best to try to put some focus on it.

Female rogue, -5gmt (playtimes sun-wed 7pm-11pm, thurs 7pm-whenever, fri-sat any time) I have always wanted a formal introduction into the drow society. It has been something I have been hesitant about for years due to the entry cap, but this should be perfect for getting into the groove.

I want the gritty grind of the ascension or fall of ambitious drow.

I am intrigued. Is substantial knowledge of drow lore mandatory, or will we learn on the job? And now that I've outed myself as a player with only secondhand knowledge of anything from the Underdark, may I ask after the monk ban? Is it simply because of the primarily chaotic society?

Not sure what you mean by monk ban, but if I read you correctly then drow monks are fine and they exist in lore. There's a drow monastic order in city of Undrek'thoz called the Blackened Fist which is okay'd by Lolthlites.

You don't really need to know anything about drow lore at first tbh, the only thing you may need to know is don't piss off the Priestesses of Lolth and be respectful to females if you're male (knowing this is part of your basic survival kit). You'll pick up the rest as you play along, the players are also generous and they'll help you out.

Feel free to be creative about your characters, just keep in mind that drow society has long been a place of backstabbing and exploiting the weaknesses of others. You're in an environment where evil thrives and rules, so its natural for your PCs to be on guard!

If you want to know a little bit more about drow lore for character background purposes, just shoot me, and perhaps other drow PCs, a PM or tell if you see us online.

Overneath wrote:

I am intrigued. Is substantial knowledge of drow lore mandatory, or will we learn on the job? And now that I've outed myself as a player with only secondhand knowledge of anything from the Underdark, may I ask after the monk ban? Is it simply because of the primarily chaotic society?

No, no substantial knowledge on drow is madatory at all. Much of it's focus is on introducing you to the world and culture of the underdark in an in game fashion. So as long as your character does not have hot pink skin and purple hair, you will be fine!

The 'ban' on monks for this event is mainly because I am not sure on how to handle them. In the future I am more than willing to read up on them and try to incooperate it into the academy system if there is a good way to do it. For now it is easier not to handle that bit of an oddball class, just like druids. A matter of convienience.

I sent a PM, but to others here,

Male, Ranger

GMT -7 (Mountain Standard Time)

Speaking as the current head of the Temple, I find absolutely nothing wrong with drow monks. Honestly, this is a bit meta, but Zrae is most concerned with one's attitude and dedication to Lolth and all She stands for. Frankly a monk devout of Lolth (for example) would likely be not far behind a Lolthite cleric in terms of dedication (in my mind). Though, you could run into awesome RP being a Lawful char in a Chaotic society. You could, also, be a monk but not in the academy. RP a bit, let everyone get acclimated IG, and there's the potential for being requested to join the academy, too. You never know int he land below!

Also, this thread makes my penis hard <3

Pony wrote:

The 'ban' on monks for this event is mainly because I am not sure on how to handle them. In the future I am more than willing to read up on them and try to incooperate it into the academy system if there is a good way to do it. For now it is easier not to handle that bit of an oddball class, just like druids. A matter of convienience.

For this purpose, one might make the statement that drow monks are simply very agile fighters, from a societal standpoint, and thus belong to the same 'caste'. However, I shan't comment on the ruling further. What about male clerics, like a battle priest of Selvetarm? I assume they would belong to the Melee Magthere?

If I manage to find the time to do this, my timezone would be GMT -5, EST.

If you want my advice on how to incorporate monks into an event like this: treat them like any other candidate. There are three training programmes, for priestesses, warriors and mages. It's not as if you get special freedom not to practice fighting in rank-and-file (insofar as that is part of the MM curriculum) just because you're a rogue on your character sheet, either. A monk, if not multiclassed as cleric or wizard/sorc, is a Melee Magthere student. They are not common or established enough in drow society for your PCs to have any reason to have any particular opinion of them or have made special accomodations in the curriculum for one. They might practice their monastic discipline after classes, and if they're really could they could convince their instructors to let them fight how they know best (which goes for most PC weapon, armor and feat choices, really), but there's nothing you really need to consider or prepare for, in order to have one onboard.

It's up to you, though.

I would love to participate on a new, permakillable PC but you know by now I am unreliable, and pretty busy besides. We'll see, in the future.

Sounds like an opportunity, I'm definitely intrigued. Priestess, -5 EST

Last edited by Broldi on Thu, Nov 13 2014, 5:50 AM, edited 1 time in total.

Already got Dro. ECL18, near 19, Barbarian.

Edit: GMT- 0 (England) Though my body clock is not something to deem my time zone as relevant.

Overneath wrote:

Pony wrote:

The 'ban' on monks for this event is mainly because I am not sure on how to handle them. In the future I am more than willing to read up on them and try to incooperate it into the academy system if there is a good way to do it. For now it is easier not to handle that bit of an oddball class, just like druids. A matter of convienience.

For this purpose, one might make the statement that drow monks are simply very agile fighters, from a societal standpoint, and thus belong to the same 'caste'. However, I shan't comment on the ruling further. What about male clerics, like a battle priest of Selvetarm? I assume they would belong to the Melee Magthere?

If I manage to find the time to do this, my timezone would be GMT -5, EST.

my main is a priest of selvetarm and will be acting as an instructor for times I can attend.

@ Overneath:

A priest of Selevetarm would not be a problem. Zanthair and I should be able to handle it for you. I would expect you would take a few more classes that are usually reserved for the priestesses. The monk I guess can work, if we handle it like the standard warrior route.

@ Everyone:

How do Sundays look for you all? For the americans it would be around 4:00 pm gmt -5. For the europeans it would be evenings around 9:00 pm gmt +0. I am able to go three hours later on Sundays than that, but I am not sure if Broldi would be able to make that as a fellow euro.

Sundays are a heavy day for player activity. If nothing pressing is going on, works great for me.

Broldi can definitely do that, lol. His sleep schedule is something no human should ever try to understand.

Also, that time sounds perfect to me!

As usual my schedule is heavily limited, which is the main reason I have not gotten Zrae mega involved in this. That's not to say that she won't be (that bitch is always watching, muwahaha) but I don't want people to worry about including my stupid schedule in this, hah!

MORE DROW YES

My schedule is a bit up in the air at the moment so I'll let you guys know what becomes of it.

Pony wrote:

@ Overneath:

A priest of Selevetarm would not be a problem. Zanthair and I should be able to handle it for you. I would expect you would take a few more classes that are usually reserved for the priestesses. The monk I guess can work, if we handle it like the standard warrior route.

@ Everyone:

How do Sundays look for you all? For the americans it would be around 4:00 pm gmt -5. For the europeans it would be evenings around 9:00 pm gmt +0. I am able to go three hours later on Sundays than that, but I am not sure if Broldi would be able to make that as a fellow euro.

If no other pressing concerns arise, that is an acceptable date for my schedule. I would love to participate as the aforementioned priest of Selvetarm, but I think I should play something unobtrusive for my first time in Amia's Underdark. As such, I'll be playing a rogue with smatterings of bard. It should play like a well-educated jack-of-all-trades, but I hasten to ask: If you're a drow rogue, is it just assumed that you're also an assassin? And if so, is the common perception that I may as well take levels in that class because of it? The build can go either way.

Sunday I am unavailable until 7pm (gmt -5)

Yup, I wouldn't be available til around that time at the either, give or take an hour. I'm gmt+7 these days so I think that'll always be unavoidable, sadly. Enjoy!

I couldn't be around till like 8 EST (GMT-5) on sundays

actually, 8 is like the earliest I can be around any day

Broldi, can you make it if we push the time back to 1:00am GMT +0 Sunday/Monday?

Broldi, can you make it if we push the time back to 1:00am GMT +0 Sunday/Monday?

Can do.

I'm usually up until early mornings.

Alright. So the new time slot would be 8:00 pm EST (GMT -5) Sunday, 1:00 am GMT + 0 Monday.

If less time flexible europeans join the set of events down the line, we will find a second slot that suits them better.

Right on.

Hopefully I'll be able to make it! I'm moving this weekend, so we'll see if my internet is connected proper. Can't wait

We could either start this week's sunday (the 16th) or next week's (23rd). Which ever is preferable.

I should be free this Sunday. I'll be in Russia the following two Sundays, however.

I will be there.

Alright! This sunday it is!

I have a commitment a few hours prior to that so I will be late to the party.

It occurs to me that your Sundays are my Mondays, my bad. Will see you guys there.

The Academy event will kick off in 13 hours from this post.

SamTheGiantSlayer currently is with out internet on her laptop, so she may not be able to make it, in that event, Dro wouldn't be their either as he'd have no reason to be. Will definitely be at the next, though

This will kick off in ten minutes or so!

Feel free to poke me for an event if you want a teacher, Pony. I need reasons to get on Elvis and torment young new players to the ways of evil blood bathers. Also, I just miss drow a lot!

<3

Tonight's event was FUCKING FANTASTIC.

Sorry, I get carried away when I talk about DROW RP FUCKING YEAH BUDDY! WOOOOOOOOOOO!

Ahem. I was so happy to see so many new and old faces. Let's make Nec' lively and badass (who am I kidding, Nec' is always badass) again!

I surprised we actually RPed in the same room for the first time ever after seeing you in the forums for years.

went very well!

Alternate Beginnings - Drow Academy [Player Run]

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