Clans

[silence]

Recently the topic of clans has come up in conversations. Specifically the question of can the server support 3 clans. I figured a poll might be in order to get peoples opinion.

Please make sure you vote on the poll in addition to leaving comments.

[Sirnico]

Change it to a 2 clan system. In my opinion the clans should do away with alignment based due to the fact that alignment has always been within the eye of the beholder. Good evil neutral is all situation based and no one character is one alignment. If the clans were turned into two new names would need to be made. My second vote would be to remove them completely.

[Eldath (Mara)]

This was brought up once before & was quickly shut down. Of course, those were old (old) times with different handles on what the server represented. I agree with Pants saying two new names should be made but I don't necessarily agree with removing clans altogether. Anyway, I'm interested to see what everyone else has to say on the matter.

[Flahor Kathara]

I agree with the two clan idea, but if that wasn't to work out one clan would be better than none. Imagine having no shop to buy 10x Heal pots, scrolls, and no teleports. UGH.

[Hild]

From my perspective and two cents, think about how this would be done before you push for it. The decision probably would not end up in the hands of the players. It's likely the clan with the least investment in their hall might be chosen.

Doing it based on those who don't show up often, that seems to be a decision made in favor of those that play constantly, which would lead to possible out cry from those that have limited time.

Worst case scenario all the gold currently invested is lost and the clans reset one again.

I am not saying this is how it would go down but the DM staff would approach a fair and balanced solution to it. That being said I think finding a solution that is worth implementing will leave a bad taste in some peoples' mouths so please consider this carefully. The other thing to consider is you can switch clans willingly. By eliminating a clan completely you are basically asking for a DM intervention to do so.

My personal slant is I agree with getting clans away from alignments, and possibly renaming them. How many we have is something I am not overly worried about, it can be 1-3 or even 4, to me everyone's gold is good for buying stuff when you want upgrades.


Some possible names: (jokes of course)

Von Silence's Family Corpses
Mardok's Dying Adventurers
Raven's Rezzing Rangers
Farmer's Union

[Tempus]

Clans definitely give the server another layer of depth.

- Clans allow players to pool resources and transform their time and effort into tangibles.
- Clans also add a layer to PvP. It gives purpose to the wonton attacks and “panty” raids when the hunting of bosses becomes dry.



Now, the usefulness or value of these things are ultimately up to the players. For instance, is a portal to a place known for farming more valuable than the improvement of a Moat Goon? One gets me bragging rights and “security” (perhaps so others don’t use my portal), the other grants swifter access to more income. Objectively, it’s up to each clan to determine that clans priority and value.

Over the years, many changes have taken place that have affected both of these clan aspects. Does it mean that the clans should be changed or even eliminated/combined? Why is this even a consideration?

I am with Kevin in that the players can choose to leave or join any clan they want. If all the members of one clan moves to another, well then now you have two clans! If no one joins a clan, than it is effectively eliminated. I also agree with Michael that clans don’t really need an alignment. Oh sure, they are “based” on a general alignment but given the fact that x-neutral, x-lawful and x-chaotic alignments are really subjective, clan alignment is more a matter of organization than an actual practice.

I do recognize that there is some inherent power in a clan in the form of the shops and portals however, I will argue that there is a public transit system and the proper skill(s) can drastically reduce your purchase price in shops (and increase your selling price). There is also pretty good diversity in the places you can take the “bus” to and in the wares sold by the merchants. Could there be more? Absolutely!


  In the end, I don’t see how the clans hurt or hinder the system. Perhaps the server has changed, leaving us just the diehards and in that, perhaps our focus should change. Perhaps we need a better boss system, more diversity in the shops or more quests. Perhaps we need a different mechanic (e.g. PvP Kill Counters or Monster Kill Counters) but I personally don’t think removing or combining clans gives us anything new. It certainly does not requiring retooling anything from a builder perspective.



BTW- if you wish to consider renaming your clans (e.g. WuTang Clan), I think we can open those doors!

[silence]

Do not get me wrong. I am not suggesting clans go away completely but i figured a poll was not really good without all of the options available. My personal feeling is on par with what Tempus said. Clans that follow the good, neutral and evil exactly are hard to work in. I have characters that range across all alignments based on that character type. Clans have always been a part of this server and will always continue to be hopefully. It is fun earning enough to outfit your hall properly and to defend it properly as well. But it does not seem like there really are enough people playing lately to properly fill out each clan. I have to say that the option of only 2 clans seems to work better for the size we are now though.

[Rasputin Rothgar Pendragon]

I would think that we should leave it as it is to keep some of the original feel to the game. Change the names if you will, but at least leave the three clans to give everyone the chance to have some options. Sorry its early in the morning and my mind has not quite caught up with me yet here......

[Tarnos]

We have a very limited player base, alienating people is a surefire way to cut that down even more.

The clans are in name only for the most part. PvP is currently low, but that's to be expected at this juncture with our size.

What if instead of disbanding or dismantling anything, we change our perspective of what this means exactly to us all.

As currently is we are divided forces, by our own choice entirely based on our 'alignment' views, which again are practically non-existent outside of our very limited roleplay.

We need to all ask ourselves what we want out of Redemption at this point? A PvP experience with PvE toppings? A PvE focused environment with occasional bouts of player on player glory?

With as limited as we are, I'd like to see us all unify under a single faction, as peers. But one based on a very fine point. We are few, and our PvE enemies are many and rather quite strong in some instances. A unification as a force against those that would see Shandalar burnt to the ground and Stoneridge lined with heads on pikes.

Ultimately we all (players and DM's) are the story of this world and we can build upon it however we would like. So why not have the world evolve as we do? Have our defeats and victories have consequences with our environments. We have a world and a story to tell and loads of tools and imaginations to allow it to come to life. Lets build some tales together!

At least, that's how I'd like to see go lol.

[mardok]

3 clans seem a bit much, but I think we still need clans. So I vote 2 clans.

[kyna]

I think 3 works. heck, depending on my suggestions below, the actual # wouldn't be important - the way they are used becomes important. I think more of the issue is that the 3rd group doesn't really have a following.

So what about tossing out options that make the 3rd clan more active? Or the addition of a completely new one if we don't want to offend those players? I think many of us belong to the clans we chose, based on tradition and past friendships. So - can i ask how many active players there are? OR rather Characters - Maybe instead of getting rid of a clan, we should consider a cap on the # spots there are in a clan, and encourage the development of them. For instance, I do miss the interplay on the server based on clan alignment. I remember in the past - you almost had to try out for a clan. The shops? those are an extra perk - that I think should be earned and that joining a clan should be something... like a quest. So clans need players, which means they do what they can to attract the players that are good. then the good players see the perks, build the clan up.... and bob's your uncle

So, here is my thought. Totally restructure each clan. Each clan needs to set standards for acceptance - and those should be left completely up to clan leadership. And I think each clan should have a clan leader, and then clan "Elders". They set the rules, decide on membership - and run the clan. not just one person. So as an entry level idea? (and I know you guys are slammed - this could be a long term future use- or for instance the current clan leaders should do the programming and submit for review) have an NPC that is the recruiter outside each clan hall. The clan determines the requirements, like if you have to be lvl 20, or have green hair... or whatever - and then your character takes off - does the quest - and brings back a token. then you get to talk to the clan elders and they see if there is room. Additionally, with a limit on the number of characters in a group - it makes them more desirable.... so that m lvl 8 doesn't get the same benefits (directly - I know there are ways around it) as my lvl 38

Of course, this only works depending on the # of active players. If there aren't enough active players? well.... then I'm way over thinking and trying to hard.

[Tempus]

It seems as though we are staying a 3 clan system and each clan can choose how they wish to govern themselves.
If members with to leave one clan in favor of another, they are at liberty to do so.
Seems simple enough!