AMIA ARCHIVE • View topic - Ignoring NPCs/Guards

A question - with all the random NPCs standing around Cordor, is there any way to assign them a random location each reset? It would just be interesting to see them in different places (or different NPCs)

Or maybe have them walking around doing patrols? You know, actually guarding?

Patrols lead to a lot of lag. I just figured if they moved to a different spot on reset it would lead to some nice immersion, without that particular problem.

Like a changing of the guard... yeah I could see that working well.

Alkor wrote:

Quote:

I would love for everything to be super scripted to be able to handle any situation properly that comes in, in a realistic manner. I would love to be able to do things when DMs are not available, and the NPCs can use scripted AI, so we can have more RP possibilities, so that metagaming is cut down and unable to even do in some places. But alas, such scripting would be a huge deal, and so it turns into players having to take responbility and do the right thing RP-wise. I have no experience with scripting but I'm pretty certain it would be a big pain to accomplish such a feat. We have to work within the limitations of the system, and RP responsibly. If you want a game where you can escape jail, or go attack guards and slaughter a town whenever you feel like it without much consequence, or whatever...play Oblivion.

Correct me if I'm wrong here but:

So your argument against is "It's too much work to make the server better and more enjoyable because of the work it would take, and I have no idea how much work it would take." ...really?

-you don't know about scripting yet declare it to be a 'huge deal'? ..on what grounds? ..in order to draw that conclusion? Yet your against it and say everyone has to live with it or play another game, without knowing the amount of work it would take?

The present argument I'm hearing is "The benefit gained by the server doesn't equal the cost."

That claim is void, until I hear a person who knows more about scripting post on the subject.

Grymia wrote:

Superscripting'd be nice but.. problem is there'd be too many variables.

Explain please the variables that can not be accounted for by scripting so the community can discuss them and perhaps find a solution.

Sorry but you really misinterpreted things here. As some of the previous posts have said after my post, the scripting request is unreasonable. Your attempt at making me look like I had no idea what I was talking about failed, since I was right.

What I was saying, is that it falls on us as RPers to rp responsibly, since all that scripting cannot be done. I have never done scripting, yet I have heard the amount of time it takes to do certain things, and this from what I gathered would obviously be a big deal. Also I'm saying that if someone wants a game where every goddamn thing is scripted for them, then go play Oblivion or something. RPing is about using your mind and imagination, thinking. Work within the system we have. Besides if everything was scripted, we'd have alot less need for DMs, and you know they love being pestered 24/7 right?

Tiny bump for relevance! Read the first post. Also posting DM confirmation I got some time ago.

It doesn't take much work to PM a DM, like Tormak or Yos, and ask to organise a time to sneak into Cordor. It just requires some planning in advance. They are usually reasonably flexible with timezones if you make the effort to contact and organise something. Tormak is completely bonkers with how late he seems willing to stay up.

As such, the need for scripted patrols or anything is non-existant, and a lot of work on something that won't offer much benefit. It will also cause lots of lag. Its even more annoying when the scripts fail and the NPC stops in the middle of patrol for no reason.

If you see this happening with a player you don't recognize, warn them before you report them. Then if they do it again, report it.

DolphinRacer wrote:

If you see this happening with a player you don't recognize, warn them before you report them. Then if they do it again, report it.

Report straight away. It's up to DM's to decide whether to Punish or not.

For gods' sake, if you warn them, do it politely. I have seen what some of you pass of for warnings, and frankly it's things even I wouldn't say.

Bumping for relevance. If you are exiled from some place, like Cordor, please respect it while you are not being supervised by a DM. I realize it does suck, but it sucks for us, too, when the (often) only punishment that actually has a notable, lasting consequence is ignored. (At least in Cordor's case.) That said, thank you for the filthy lawbreakers that do respect their exiles or respond to lesser punishments, or heck, are so sly they don't even get caught.

Lets face it, that's always more fun than permanent exiles, anyway.

I still think it would be beneficial to have a widget that places a token on an "exiled" character that prohibits them from opening the gates / transitioning into Cordor for X amount of time.

Wolfking6116 wrote:

I still think it would be beneficial to have a widget that places a token on an "exiled" character that prohibits them from opening the gates / transitioning into Cordor for X amount of time.

I believe the DMs have the option to give something like this out, but I don't and nor do I want it.

But ah, this isn't about mechanically forcing someone to respect the consequences put on them, it's about them just deciding to respect it unless they get a DM for assistance. In a perfect world, I wouldn't need the Guard widgets (even if most of them are broken, because I keep forgetting to ask to get them fixed...) to enforce things. I figure asking works just as well.

Cordor is spoiled, anyway. I know that it's not the only place that struggles. Though, yes, this was for my own benefit.

Burningoutbright wrote:

I believe the DMs have the option to give something like this out, but I don't and nor do I want it.

But ah, this isn't about mechanically forcing someone to respect the consequences put on them, it's about them just deciding to respect it unless they get a DM for assistance. In a perfect world, I wouldn't need the Guard widgets (even if most of them are broken, because I keep forgetting to ask to get them fixed...) to enforce things. I figure asking works just as well.

I can't fix them if you don't tell me!

Fine, fine. I'll send you a PM when I get to it.

Fair enough, Burning. =P Though I must attribute that it would cause less hard feelings on either side overall, as well as fewer headaches for most active players who would be in use of said things. But I can fully understand your thoughts on the manner, as they are true.

Also, I'm not sure if you remember the idea we discussed about the Guard PC's and the Gates. But maybe throw that to Paladin as well, see if it's plausible. If you can't recall all of it, since it was about two-three months ago, I can send a PM with details.

Reminder to all. If your banned from a location please respect this I understand it gets frustrating at some times, but if your banned its for a reason ic actions= ic reaction. If you really want to go somewhere your banned send a dm a tell, I'm sure that can result in fun rp with everyone involved. I hate being the bad guy and yelling or getting upset, trust me it is just as much of a headache on the person pointing out your banned and need a dm to supervise as it is for you. Yes disguises are nice and everything, but if you walk by a npc give them enough respect to get a chance to know or not know.

Thank you. Rant over.

I figure this is as good a place as any to post it!

As some(?) of you have probably noticed, the regular guard players seem to be MIA or scarcely on. As per my investigation, it seems there are more college students in the faction than I was previously aware of!

That said, if there is need for the faction to respond to something, or you're playing a filthy no-good criminal and want something done without getting royally smote by the powers that be, send me a PM. I'm also in college full time, but I have a couple days off that are officially off-time/BoB-time.

I -think- I know the answer, but, general rule of thumb is "When in doubt ask." sooo...

Since, there are ways to sneak in unobserved around Cordor NPC Guards(namely -under- them), if your toon or faction is banned from the city, can the Sanctuary of Sin be "gotten too" to reach a certain unscrupulous audience as far as posting notices is concerned? This being done -without- ignoring npc guards, as I'm pretty sure there isn't any in the sewers.

Greyweaver wrote:

I -think- I know the answer, but, general rule of thumb is "When in doubt ask." sooo...

Since, there are ways to sneak in unobserved around Cordor NPC Guards(namely -under- them), if your toon or faction is banned from the city, can the Sanctuary of Sin be "gotten too" to reach a certain unscrupulous audience as far as posting notices is concerned? This being done -without- ignoring npc guards, as I'm pretty sure there isn't any in the sewers.

Not true, you can get there from the sewers pretty easily.

I won't point out the route but yes, there is -one- spot in part of cordor which is accesable through the sewers without passing any gates or having any of the usual guards around.

however, one should assume cordor is vastly more guarded than appearences show, since a proper sneaking mission really does need a DM incase you get busted, I mean wheres the fun in breaking into the city hall as stealthily as possible if the npc's can't react? also good luck getting through the mega-locked doors, also this thread is still going?! =)

I think we all know how this one works.

Well it's not for any indepth stealth missions or anything like that just for posting notices or holding meetings in the Sanctuary of Sin. I didn't check to see how old this thread was. It just thought it an appropriate place to post this question. Sooo it's doable?

Selvec Darkon wrote:

It doesn't take much work to PM a DM, like Tormak or Yos, and ask to organise a time to sneak into Cordor. It just requires some planning in advance. They are usually reasonably flexible with timezones if you make the effort to contact and organise something. Tormak is completely bonkers with how late he seems willing to stay up.

As such, the need for scripted patrols or anything is non-existant, and a lot of work on something that won't offer much benefit. It will also cause lots of lag. Its even more annoying when the scripts fail and the NPC stops in the middle of patrol for no reason.

Once when there was one event around west of cordor, I asked dm if my char could sneak through cordor, instead of risking(and circling around) my low level arse through the swamps. I was denied

There's a way into the sewers and under cordor where there isn't any guards. I won't say how but I just need to know if using that route is fine for leaving notices in the Sanctuary, not for anything major, without a dm around for it. It's mainly for posting on the forums. Can this be done?

TeroSNS wrote:

Selvec Darkon wrote:

It doesn't take much work to PM a DM, like Tormak or Yos, and ask to organise a time to sneak into Cordor. It just requires some planning in advance. They are usually reasonably flexible with timezones if you make the effort to contact and organise something. Tormak is completely bonkers with how late he seems willing to stay up.

As such, the need for scripted patrols or anything is non-existant, and a lot of work on something that won't offer much benefit. It will also cause lots of lag. Its even more annoying when the scripts fail and the NPC stops in the middle of patrol for no reason.

Once when there was one event around west of cordor, I asked dm if my char could sneak through cordor, instead of risking(and circling around) my low level arse through the swamps. I was denied

Sometimes the DMs can be busy with hordes of people, and unfortunately can't be everywhere with full attention at once.

*patpat*

Rule of thumb: If in order to get somewhere you want to go, you have to cut through an area whose name includes the name of the city or place you are banned from, don't go there without a DM.

Seeing as how a DM hasn't responded yet, I'll answer from my past experience, and my answer can be trumped later on. I'm hesitant to say it, but ah. Here we go. To my knowledge, in the recent-past select DMs have allowed "everyday RP" for exiled PCs to occur in the SoS, sewers, and Underground.

DustSpray101 wrote:

Rule of thumb: If in order to get somewhere you want to go, you have to cut through an area whose name includes the name of the city or place you are banned from, don't go there without a DM.

That said, the old rule of thumb still applies by and large. I now await the flux of exiled people underneath Cordor.

Dwagin wrote:

TeroSNS wrote:

Selvec Darkon wrote:

It doesn't take much work to PM a DM, like Tormak or Yos, and ask to organise a time to sneak into Cordor. It just requires some planning in advance. They are usually reasonably flexible with timezones if you make the effort to contact and organise something. Tormak is completely bonkers with how late he seems willing to stay up.

As such, the need for scripted patrols or anything is non-existant, and a lot of work on something that won't offer much benefit. It will also cause lots of lag. Its even more annoying when the scripts fail and the NPC stops in the middle of patrol for no reason.

Once when there was one event around west of cordor, I asked dm if my char could sneak through cordor, instead of risking(and circling around) my low level arse through the swamps. I was denied

Sometimes the DMs can be busy with hordes of people, and unfortunately can't be everywhere with full attention at once.

*patpat*

And that is probably exactly why your request was denied. I actually do believe it was me, and I was herding about twenty PCs and several NPCs. If I'm not mistaken you assumed it would be easier to sneak in during what you interpreted as the "confusion" (which is logical, I'll grant), but with Cordor's paramilitary training authorized by the government ages back, it is actually the opposite - much, much more difficult, as security checkpoints become heavily manned and guarded at the slightest security threat, dramatically reducing your chances of entry without trouble. Denying it is my way of giving your PC the "common sense" feat that says, "Now is not a good time, as I have a 99.9% chance of getting caught. A more relaxed time without so many eyes watching would be better."

And also, BoB is right. Thus far, certain "undesirables" have been able to RP rather freely below the city, but this freedom is never a guarantee...be it above ground or below the surface.

ok so what I'm understanding is it's alright to go through the swamp to post a notice in the sanctuary, as I would see that as "everyday" rp. But if a dm is on it's better to grab them or let them know just in case. So basically, "enter at your own risk", type of thing. What can I say, I need it spelled out for me.

Thanks for the help.

That sounds about right.

There was a certain banned faction that was doing some work in the sewers a while back.

cool cool thanks again.

Thats what I needed to know.

I can't wait for Yossarin to start murdering evil underground villains just like..... oh, ahem. Sorry.

hm...it feels like an iffy one, no one wants to anger the dm's but, there are no guards in the sewers. other than at the rope. I wouldn't have thought it would be fair to smite the ones who stick to the underground, unless they start popping out of ladders and demanding that they we're stealthy enough to go unnoticed.

nothing further to add really, I wouldn't want to see someone smited because of an enter at risk situation if they we're legit. just sayin' is all.

I don't feel that placing more NPCs in otherwise PVP areas is a good idea. It's hard enough to engage in PVP when the rp justifies it, and if those occasions happen and an NPC is around, it requires characters to act out of character (when no DM is accessable) in order to avoid PVP when it would otherwise happen.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=56655

Moving the issue here, since if there was a way of solving it privatly, a topic wouldn't be opened.

In shortest terms, is vandalizing someone's legal and valid property legal or illegal in Cordor, and would the NPC guard react to a random adventurer breaking a sign that's been put by a regular city merchant? If yes, is such behaviour considered metagaming the guards?

Bad form to continue a private grievance with another player in another thread when the original has been locked. I will say, though, that I am surprised (though perhaps not) to see a member from a faction that regularly takes umbrage with the "metagaming NPC guards" rule suddenly wanting it to be invoked over something as relatively unimportant as a sign being taken down.

This makes me question the sincerity of the concern, since it seems like a backdoor attempts to deconstruct a system (the NPC guard metagaming rules) that I do not like at all but have to concede is necessary for the time being, considering the playerbase's level of maturity, which may yet improve.

I am having a hard time understand what are you talking about, since I have many characters who are members of many factions. You'll have to be more specific.

It may be insignificant when you take a look at the other ways a guards could be metagamed, but metagaming is metagaming, regardless of the way. In RL, a peace officer would react if someone took out an axe in the middle of downtown and started chopping a barber shop sign to pieces. Weather the mentioned barber gave the mentioned policeman a bad haircut is irrelevant. There's a guy with an axe, making mess. Ulitimatelly, the signs do not evaporate.

The issue has been brought up and dealt with.

Yes it is wrong for players to metagame guards, such as committing Vandalism in front of the guards. Players should not do these things.

Locking this topic because Dead is using it to grandstand his own issue. Publically when he should be resolving it with the players in private or a DM.

Bumping this as a reminder.

Addendum:

If you are banned from an area you *cannot* go in without breaking server rules unless:

*A PC guard is present and you notify them you want their aid with sneaking in.
*A DM is available to oversee you trying to sneak in. This is still preferrable even if a PC guard is present.

Wearing a disguise, changing your armor style and colors, being polymorphed, etc. are not valid excuses, and you will still be considered to be metagaming if you are seen in a banned area without some sort of oversight.

Ignoring NPCs/Guards - Don't Do It. Or Else.

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