Isles of Purgatory Q&A Session #2 Rules, Applications, PvP

Topics: Applrications, Rurures, and Pay Vay Pay



Relevant Links:
Isles of Purgatory Rules
Special Character Application Guidelines
Class Balance Changes Proposal Example

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Banang: So player homes won't be a thing?

No, Mav asked us to not do so due to trying to not appear to "build a better Sinfar" and differentiate ourselves in some way.

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Banang: How often will you update the server with new content?

There is going to be two release cycles - changes over the course of the server's storylines and as players change the server via story/world interaction and "seasonal

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Banang: So if you want something special as your race, would you have to get that approved?

We are not quarantining off racial / character diversity like most RP servers, but we have to have some kind of consistency in the character makeup of the server. IoP will have all of Sinfar's customization but the variety of character concepts/ideas are limited in ways through the application system.

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Banang: Will there be a divide between surfance and Underdark races like in Aerlith?

There isn't an Underdark planned at the moment, but an underground cave system / town is in the works. If there were enough of a playerbase to justify a massive change then it can be worked out within reason. An underground hideout or 'encampment' is ideal and easy to justify if enough Underdark-themed players are grouping together to form a 'community'

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Banang: Alright, then will it be just a diverse sort of area like Sinfar's city?

MintTea: would be neat if they could have like another "city" like under the sewers of the neutral city

There will be no 'good' or 'evil' city at the start - the remnants of civilizations long passed will remain and it's up to the players to decide how those cities evolve. They will not be coming in from the start right away.

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Banang: There won't be any Sci-Fi stuff, right?

No, none. The mental backflips to justify Sci-Fi content in a primarily fantasy, sword n' sorcerery setting is untenable.

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Banang: Custom portraits a thing?

Yes.

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MintTea: can we RP abilities for classes that exist in pnp but aren't represented in the game?

If it's in something in a core rulebook, as long as everyone involved in the RP is okay with it then it should be fine. Rule of thumb is to ask if in doubt.

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Kittenfish: Can I have prestidigitation

That's hard to script but it's easy to RP - same as above.

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MintTea: will captivity be enforced?

On one hand, we want to be sure we balance player expectations of this kind of roleplay - we don't want captors to abuse their win over another character and basically make you sit around for hours doing nothing; however, we also don't want to trivialize conflict if a captive can just OOC out and you've no recourse. Therefore, there will be a reasonable expectation of 'capture protocols' that insist there to be interaction and reason to keep a player captive for an extended period of time so that everyone can continue to have fun while also making it worth the time to execute. Example being that if you've held someone captive in a cell for ~20 minutes and said nothing to them then a DM has the right to prod the captor and get them to do something meaningful with their spoils of war.

On that note, roleplay that makes characters uncomfortable in these situations can be forced to a 'fade-to-black', but expectations are that the results of this RP are persistant afterwards. "Red lighting" PvP or torture isn't going to be enforced or a valid response, as things like limb removal or branding can be fixed in-setting easily enough that forced 'permanent' changes that the player isn’t comfortable with can be resolved readily - players are encouraged to accept these, however, as they arise.

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MintTea: mechanically could we see buffs to the poison and contagion spells? the DCs are always to low for high levels

There isn't any in-place changes to spells like that but we want to make spells useful across the board and either buff their DC values or offer higher level alternatives. Let's make Contagion useful again!

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On class balancing:
Players should feel welcome to offer their feedback on systems, implemented or not, so that we can create a better environment. Dismissing feedback without properly addressing it only discourages the players from ever making suggestions again. Therefore, if you've got a suggestion from just spell adjustments to whole class/system features then please let us know! The more detail you can provide, including justification and even numbers if you've tested them will help a lot in trying to make a better server. We will make every effort to individually address any particular suggestions or feedback as best we can to ensure we're keeping all options / opinions on the table. Feedback that is addressed demonstrates we're willing to engage the players directly and try to iterate changes in a meaningful way rather than arbitrarily decide something regardless of the feedback given. (Phoosy Note) If I can't reasonably defend my stance to the players then I shouldn't be allowed to enforce it.  This also extends to character applications, DM/rule disputes, and anything else I can personally think of - I will make my greatest effort to make sure I am transparent in my thought and decision making process so that no one ever feels unfairly overlooked or suppressed.

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:) - (Voice summary) what about character concepts from other medieval, sword n' sorcerey settings/universes?

That will have to be discussed in further detail since there are considerations to make sure concepts coming from other settings are internally consistent with the server's setting (IE: Paladins from X setting may not have the same restrictive lawgood rules that ours does, for example, letting them get away with more?)

Current standing is that characters from 'different' universes will have to apply like a special character concept, but as long as the player is aware the character conforms to the new setting's "internal logic" then it should generally be fine.

1. Yes, barb rage will be like in sinfar.

2. We'd prefer to prevent any form of "1 dip" classes here, so yes: you can expect paladin/bg/cot/monk/sd to be altered slightly to prevent people from taking a single level to gain an immense benefit (cha to saves / wis to ac / shadowdancing respectively)

3. I am not 100% certain on what I would like to do with this yet. The most I can say is I do not believe it is beneficial to class disparity to allow a mage to become a better fighter than fighters are. This goes for cleric divine power as well.

4. Heal/Harm will likely be similar to sinfar. The values may be adjusted, but they will not be insta-full or insta 1 hp as they are in vanilla.

5. We have not had much input on shifters pre-20 yet. Epic shapes however will very likely not be available. Druids/Shifters are likely to have a roleplay item much like on Amia that opens up their shifting possibilities for rp.

6. I have not considered this yet, but once I have done the classwork on druids/shifters, I will let you know. Classes will be posted as they are finalized. If you have input on any of the classes, feel free to make a thread. Prestige already made a very nice one for bards.

7. Blackguards will be getting an overhaul yes. If I can figure it out, they may become a base class, but no promises here as I haven't even begun research on to what that would take.

8. From my understanding Mord's Mansion is from the NWN Vault - it is not on sinfar's custom spell list. The spell itself is possible to get from the vault, so it's possible that we might be able to make a custom version for IoP, but right now it would not be high on the list of priorities. Perhaps in a future update after release.

9. By pressing a button :^)

Real answer: I'm working on bards at this very moment. Bards will have a much brighter role on IoP as utility casters that provide heavy support for their allies. Bard song will be changed to show this. It is entirely likely that there will be custom choices to change how your song functions. For lower level bards (e.g. if you go only a few levels in then switch to another class) it will likely work much like it does everywhere else.

10 & 11.) Again, as I get to these classes, design choices will be announced. Do know that we would like to make all classes viable or at least useful.

12.) This is something we could certainly look into. If you would like to see specific changes like this, feel free to make suggestions!

13.) We can certainly look into this as well.

14.) I've already finished and tested a script implemented for IoP that allows us to do some unique equip limitations to work on balance between classes. Things like: limiting an item's ability to be equiped by class levels, or stat numbers (e.g. you cannot use this polearm unless your strength is 16 or higher or: you cannot use this armor unless you have 15 levels in wizard). We've considered making higher tier magic items 'soulbind' on equip - e.g. once you use it, it can no longer be traded or sold. It's only useful for that one person anymore. (no merchant would buy an item like that anyway).

15.) In dnd I believe druids got a resurrection ability... but it was reincarnate. You came back as a new race. We can certainly look at the possibility of letting druids bring people back, but I'd want it to fit them - not be just "druids get resurrect now".