The Island of Thain - Roleplay PW

[Legacy_an ominous cow herd]

               

Hello all,

 

I haven't seen us mentioned here in a while, so I thought I'd leave a note for anyone looking for a home or tourist destination. '>

 

Thain is a mid-magic setting with a level 20 soft cap and around 500 areas. There are no HAKs or other downloads required to play -- just roll up a character and jump in! We primarily cater to roleplayers, with a (currently) fairly active group of DMs running events for a player population of around 5, on up to 30 on busy days. We welcome all play styles so long as you respect that of others -- meaning, if you want to run about and pillage dungeons, go for it! There are no restrictions on class builds, but monstrous races like drow, duergar etc. are not permitted. If you are new to roleplaying in general, this is a great place to start. We're not too rules-y either; just please pick an original name for you character...

 

Some notable features of our module:

- a basic crafting system available to those who invest points in Craft Armor/Trap/Weapon and Heal

- a more flexible enchanting system available as a reward for those who consistently do crafting RP

- increased caster levels for Harper Scouts, Pale Masters and Shifters; alternate shapes and improved item merging for Shifters; improved abilities for Barbarians, Paladins, Shadowdancers and more!

- story-telling aids such as customizable Misc Items, placeables and visual effects, as well as the ability to change the name and appearance of your summoned creature/familiar/animal companion

- lots of chat commands for playing animations, rolling skill checks and such

- epic levels may be achieved as a reward for consistent roleplay over a period of time

 

 

You can find more information/details in our FAQ and our forum. If you want to just get in game, you can direct connect to 93.184.197.20 or thain.no-ip.org

 

If you have any questions, feel free to ask them here and I will do my best to respond.

 

Cheers!

 

(<--- a.k.a. [DM] Gerbo)

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Gregor Wyrmbane]

               

This was the first PW I ever played on, back in 2007. I still play there. It's a great server, and the staff and player base are top notch.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_MagicalMaster]

               

Do they still have that rule where you either lose half a level of experience or can't gain experience for an hour or two when you die?  If I recall correctly, the latter didn't even "count down" while you were offline?

 

I remember trying this world a year or two back and getting turned off by that, especially since I got one-shot by higher level enemies while trying to do some of the basic quests and explore the starting areas.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_an ominous cow herd]

               

Do they still have that rule where you either lose half a level of experience or can't gain experience for an hour or two when you die?  If I recall correctly, the latter didn't even "count down" while you were offline?

 

I remember trying this world a year or two back and getting turned off by that, especially since I got one-shot by higher level enemies while trying to do some of the basic quests and explore the starting areas.

Yes, we still have those two death penalty options -- you can choose one or the other.

 

Some work has been done over the last couple years to improve the starting experience. Leveling up is not quite as much as a chore as it was when I first started there. '>

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_MagicalMaster]

               

Well, I distinctly remember getting basically one shot at level 2 by some archers in the very first combat zone -- was exploring the whole zone and some archers with Impossible (or maybe "just" Overpowering) difficulty outside a cave saw me at extreme range (meaning they had a long perception distance and this whole thing happened as soon as they entered the screen).  I was turned into a pin cushion within 2 seconds.  Clearly that cave was a level 7-8+ zone but for some reason there were long range archers with long range perception placed right outside it.

 

And, quite frankly, I didn't even mind the dying -- I get that sometimes silly design decisions can be made...I minded not being able to gain experience (from mobs, at least) for 20 minutes.  Especially when it turned out that logging off for the night and then returning the next day hadn't advanced that timer.  I believe I wound up exploring to the west for a bit to try to "progress" the timer, then wound up going south into a cave and dying again, which meant another 20 minutes of no experience.  Gave up in disgust at that point, simply wasn't worth my time.

 

Thinking about it some more, I don't even think the "half a level" thing existed when I tried it, I just remember seeing it added when I looked at the server again later to see if the timer had changed.  But that seemed fairly harsh too as well given how slow getting XP seemed to be, at least initially.

 

So what exactly has been changed to improve the starting experience during the last few years?  I'm not opposed to checking out the server again, but I had some pretty bad experiences there.  Only server out of about 15 that I've played on where I never even hit level 3.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_an ominous cow herd]

               

Well, I distinctly remember getting basically one shot at level 2 by some archers in the very first combat zone -- was exploring the whole zone and some archers with Impossible (or maybe "just" Overpowering) difficulty outside a cave saw me at extreme range (meaning they had a long perception distance and this whole thing happened as soon as they entered the screen).  I was turned into a pin cushion within 2 seconds.  Clearly that cave was a level 7-8+ zone but for some reason there were long range archers with long range perception placed right outside it.

 

Ah yes, those guys! I ran into them once and also died a horrible death. '> You get a warning when you approach that corner, now.

 

Thinking about it some more, I don't even think the "half a level" thing existed when I tried it, I just remember seeing it added when I looked at the server again later to see if the timer had changed.  But that seemed fairly harsh too as well given how slow getting XP seemed to be, at least initially.

It's not a bad option, sometimes -- at least you won't actually lose a level. I personally prefer the timer, at lower levels for the most part, but I may switch to XP loss when grinding at higher levels so if I die I can just get back into the action.

 

So what exactly has been changed to improve the starting experience during the last few years?  I'm not opposed to checking out the server again, but I had some pretty bad experiences there.  Only server out of about 15 that I've played on where I never even hit level 3.

Several of the lower-level dungeons have been revamped/expanded and rebalanced. You should have no problem getting to level 8 or so in a few hours by going to the right places (North beach dogs, badger glade, kobold mines or goblin caves, maybe ooze cavern if you're savvy. )

 

Any PW is going to have a bit of a learning curve, but I believe we have a pretty good mix of stuff close to the starting area. That said, we're always pushing to polish what we already have and are always listening to feedback.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_MagicalMaster]

               

Ah yes, those guys! I ran into them once and also died a horrible death. '> You get a warning when you approach that corner, now.

 

Well, that's an improvement, then '>

 

It's not a bad option, sometimes -- at least you won't actually lose a level. I personally prefer the timer, at lower levels for the most part, but I may switch to XP loss when grinding at higher levels so if I die I can just get back into the action.

 

For what it's worth, as a new player who was turned away by the penalties, the idea of dying within the first 15 minutes or so and then spending the next 20 minutes effectively unable to gain experience was a pretty poor starting experience.  Literally meant I'd be spending more than double the time I had been on the server to start gaining experience again.  I quite imagine you've had a lot of discussion on the subject, so I'll refrain from writing a treatise or whatever, but I did find it odd that Thain tried to advertise itself as a "newbie" friendly server (as in people new to NWN and/or RP) yet had one of the most hardcore death penalties I had seen (emphasis on *one* of the -- I know there are/were worse).

 

Any PW is going to have a bit of a learning curve, but I believe we have a pretty good mix of stuff close to the starting area. That said, we're always pushing to polish what we already have and are always listening to feedback.

 

I'm considering "starting fresh" again and seeing how it goes.  Is there a way to delete my former character (who was a mighty level 2 or 3 at best) to use the same name?

 

That said, my concern is mixing a "learning curve" that involves expecting players to unavoidably die at least several times (which is how I usually see that phrase used) with a harsh death penalty.  Kind of feel like you can expect players to die a lot figuring stuff out or have a harsh death penalty...but not both.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Gregor Wyrmbane]

               

@ MM.

 

I'm not a staff member on Thain, but as a long time player there I will try to address your concerns.

 

First, although all play styles are allowed there, the "focus" of the server is RP. If you log on a new character and spend your time running around solo everywhere in powergame mode, then you can expect to die a few times until you figure out the "lay of the land". However, if your character takes the time to meet other characters and party up with them, you'll have a much different experience. If you can't find anyone at the Crossroads Fire when you log on, just send a tell to another player and ask if they'd be interested in helping out a new player/character. A lot of players on Thain keep a couple of low level PC's in the stable just for that purpose. I'm one of them.

 

The death penalties on Thain only apply when you hit the respawn button. If you are raised by another PC, or a DM, there are no death penalties. "Lifestones" are readily available from several merchants, and most PC's carry a few. If you do die while out by yourself somewhere, it's not considered bad form to send a tell to another player and ask them to bring a rescue party to come save you. There are always ways to RP such a thing.

 

If you want to use the same name on a different character, the easiest way is to use the space bar to add a space somewhere, either at the beginning, or the end of the name. It will look the same in game, but will be different enough to not mess up the game mechanics.

 

If you like to RP while you play, then you'll be rewarded for your efforts. If your play style is powergaming, you won't be harassed or asked to leave, but you won't get a lot of love either. 

 

Gregor

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_MagicalMaster]

               

If you log on a new character and spend your time running around solo everywhere in powergame mode,

 

What exactly is the difference between "powergame" mode and "exploration" mode?  I ask as I often like to explore a lot of places and investigate every nook and cranny...and I'm also aware that doing this in a group often annoys people who either already know the area or aren't as thorough.  Cue doing it solo.

 

"Lifestones" are readily available from several merchants

 

Which are?...

 

If you want to use the same name on a different character, the easiest way is to use the space bar to add a space somewhere, either at the beginning, or the end of the name. It will look the same in game, but will be different enough to not mess up the game mechanics.

 

I'm aware, but I'm also not in a rush and hence would prefer to do it "properly."

 

If you like to RP while you play, then you'll be rewarded for your efforts. If your play style is powergaming, you won't be harassed or asked to leave, but you won't get a lot of love either. 

 

Ultimately, I want to adventure.  I don't want to sit in town and talk for hours about my day.  I don't want a dungeon to take 3 hours instead of 30 minutes because we're stopping to chat for five minutes after every fight.

 

But being IC or OOC is irrelevant to me.  I'd rather play on an RP world that I find interesting than an Action world that I do not.  Perfectly fine being IC and being part of DM events...as long as we're actually *doing* something (which could be anything from a dungeon crawl to investigating a mystery to tracking down exotic reagents to some kind of puzzle/riddle).

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Gregor Wyrmbane]

               

"Lifestones" are used exactly like the spell, "Raise Dead". The difference is any PC can use one regardless of class or level, and they are much cheaper than a scroll of raise dead.

 

The rest of my post was pretty much self explanatory. So... you either already know the answers to the questions you asked, or I've given you way too much intellectual credit. Whichever it is, have fun on whatever PW you visit.

               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Elhanan]

               It was a great PW for learning how to RP on-line. Thain had imaginative DM's that were interactive with the Players, and several terrific Players that were more than willing to play with newbies. While I moved elsewhere, this is still a recommended server.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Xerah]

               

We've spent quite a bit of time recently in making some update to Thain.  Here is a quick summary of the last 4 months:

 

-Vastly expanded on the item available in game.  These include things like auto empower specific elemental spells when using a specific element ring; turning cure wound spells into AoEs with a specific amulet; increase in the overall item level to a +5 standard to bring non-casters more in line with casters (previously we were looking at +3 items)

 

-Quests have been created to allow a PC to join one of the many NPC factions on the islands (i.e. think city guards of various settlements)

 

-Ranger has been changed to use 3.5 ranger (note that since we don't have haks, you'll need an override for this)

 

-Numerous class/race restrictions removed, i.e. lawful bards, any alignment CoT, no elf or dwarven defender racial requirements

 

-Blackguard abilities have been updated and a few extra ones have been added.

 

-Dirge Singer PrC has been added

 

-Level 8+ bards don't suffer spell failure with light armour plus gain 6 skill points per level

 

-Additional druid shifting options to werecreatures at high levels.

 

-Summon undeads is an option for the summoning spells (although, you can set your summon/familar/companion appearance to almost everything anyway)

 

-Easy chat commands to help with meeting up and RP/adventuring (i.e. /who or /meetingplaces)

 

-I also added a "devil" city to the island, which if you know about Cheliax from Pathfinder, you'll understand.

 

-Bonuses to two weapon fighting (since it can be easily out-classed by sword/shield or 2handed weapons)

 

-Fishing!  People love it.   Come see the top 10 fish being caught!   You won't believe number 7!

 

 

Feel free to drop by!