RE: AG stuff

From: "T. Woods" <twoods@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu>

Date: Tue, 20 Jun 1995 00:00:00 +0000

On 20 Jun 1995, Ryu70 wrote:

>
> Ever deal with Andy(Drackmoor, etc)? (grin) Yes, I have had to become

Yes. :)  I know.

> something of a secret monger on _certain_ information.  This is the way
> it is in all the PBM games I've been in over the last 9 years.  There
> will always be info that is guarded jealously and there is info that
> is well known.  It'd be great if all the information out there was
> available to all, but there will always be players out there that
> like their secrets.
>

I don't mind players keep secrets if they think it's going to
help their CHARACTERS but if players keep secrets only so they can trade
those secrets for other secrets I mind.  I don't (and didn't) expect
people to tell where the Sunstone was located before it was found.  Once
found I expect people to give out information about it. EVERYBODY was
interested in it.  It was a big deal in the game.  But there wasn't much
(if any) information posted on the Sunstone, just where it was found.
This I don't like, it lessens the enjoyment of the game for all others.

>
> In AG there are many ways to obtain 'new' information.  One of the
> best ways I can think of for low-mid power characters to get some
> sort of 'secret' info is by trying out different path settings at

I disagree with this.

> are very well mapped out, but the Undercity, Black Ship, Swamp, and
> Azcor's Tunnel do not have that much information on them.  Low-mid

Beginning characters have to go to the other sites because they
can survive them.  These sites (BS, Swamp, ect) are too deadly for low
power level characters (they probably don't even have enough destiny to
survive a failed resurrection).  For mid power level characters these
sites aren't worth it.  Most mid power level characters/ groups either
can't survive these adventuring sites or they have to go low enough power
level that the adventure sucks (low e.p.,little gained, ect.).  It is
only the most experienced and powerful of groups/characters that can go
to places like Azcor's Tunnel, Swamp, Black Ship, Undercity, at high
enough levels to get good e.p. and still survive (and not even all of
them can do that).  Thus it is only the most powerful and experienced
group of characters/groups/players that find the new items/creaturs/sites.

> level characters can go level 1-5 at these sites and have much better
> chances of finishing the mapping expedition than a high powered
> group would have.
>

Also the power level fluctuations at these sties are enormous.
One encounter could be a failed herdling, the next a huge ooze.  A player
with an under 1000 power level character is risking death going to these
places, even at low levels (I thought Azcor was meet once on a level 1
adventure!).  And the e.p. and treasure gained would be pathetic.

> Other things lower characters can get info on: new ancient writings

I've deciphered quite a few messages, but none have given me
knowledge that others (i.e. players that have been around alot longer or
run many characters) haven't already heard.  I've been playing AG
non-stop for about 3 years, on average 2 characters, and this sort of
information isn't common.

> and deciphering them, using the Special Action visit (any place),

I've visited several places in my time.  I don't exactly plan on
having Brother Battlewise turn into Sister Battlewise. :)

> bug Hugh (he's already heard an earful from the older players and
> might be susceptible to newer players :) ), or finding special
> quests that characters can take.
>

How do you "find" special quests that characters can take?  I
know of the quests that Hugh has put out, and you can take a "random"
quest, but I have yet to hear of one of these that actually introduced
something new or unique to the game (or even hinted at how to find new or
unique information in the game).  :(

> Perhaps what I should have said was that you would gain a better
> 'feel' for some aspects in AG by attending a roundtable as Hugh is
> there to field questions.

I don't want to get a better feel of AG, I want to know your
secrets. :)  (Todd starts to take out a watch and starts to swing it back
and forth).  You will tell me your secrets, you want to tell me your
secrets... :)

>
> Cause I'm forced into the situation where I have to trade for info. :)
> Maybe if you tossed some Magic cards my way I'd blather. ;)

I tell you this practice is a hungry beast that will devour it's
children. :)  Trade Magic cards for AG info???  Magic cards are going up in
value (when will they stop?).  Someone would have to be an idio...er,
desperate, to do that. :)

> get 'secrets.'  I believe you missed my wink face ;) after what
> I said in my previous post.  The suggestion on spending money for
> online services to garner 'secret' info was made in jest.  But I

Okay. :)

> My buddy Paz is a middleman who shows up on occassion at the GEnie RTC,
> but almost all of his privy information is through email, diplos,
> belonging in the groups his characters are in, or an occassional
> phone call.  People he knows JUST TELL HIM info and he soaks it up.
> I don't think Dave has ever had to 'trade' info for other info.  I guess
> he's a special kinda guy. =)

Ya he knows alot.  But alot of that information he isn't allowed
to give out.  :(

>
> It is boiling down to connections, isn't it? :) I started the same time
> a lot of the old players started so it does seem like we're in our own
> little group at times.  Some of the older players like to share certain
> information with new(er) players, but there are older players who prefer
> keeping to themselves.

AHA!  I knew it.| :)

[ Talking about power word for vampires ]
>
> Sorry, can't say yet. :)

Grumble, grumble.

> characters as there are now.  NPCs are usually used as filler for a group.
> I suspect that Tolstoy normally enters every tourney though as he's the
> 'NPC scribe'.  As for Bessy, I think bOb the cRazY hirEd heLpEr snuck
> himself in! Hugh needs to keep a better eye on his minions....
>

Bob runs Bessy. :)  I feel sorry for him (and it's a mino as well!).
Well, considering Bessy Hugh should let his minions run loose more often. :)

> who they would like to partner with (say Sten would have to go digging
> for a 1500 power partner that would end up just standing around since
> he'd be so much slower).

I say Hugh shouldn't limit it to NPC.  Add in some of the
creatures out there.  But don't make them cannon fodder.  Instead make
them the average of the power levels.  That would give everybody a chance
(if the power level difference is 2000 between the high and low opponents
then there would be assured of 1000 power level difference).  When you
talking about power levels it's all relative.  1000 power levels means
alot between 500 and 1500, but not near as much between 6000-7000 power
levels.  If the power levels in a group are still to far apart break it up
into more groups and more NPC/creatures.

>
> >Or get init. if your hands are full.
>
> At the higher levels I would suggest Speed over Init.  It's a personal
> preference though....

Ya, but at the higher levels it seems that people usually have
energy problems.  And they usually use Speed.  Connection? :)

Later,
 	  Todd

References

RE: AG stuff
ryu70@aol.com (Ryu70)
Tue, 20 Jun 1995 00:00:00 +0000