First I wish to just confirm what I believe to be true. When I speak with an NPC the admin receive some kind of notification. Then any admin, no matter what Elder they play, can come over and take control of that NPC to speak back with me. There is no record of what that NPC last said in the past to me or others though so if I get a different admin I might have to go over what we already spoke about last time. In addition as multiple people can take over the same NPC so there can be clear changes in personality for that NPC over time.

My questions start from those basic assumptions, if any of them are wildly off base please let me know.

1. How much planning do people do before they go into a conversation? I assume not much for quick question/answer or simple RP based conversations, but if you are trying for something more complex should you plan for having the admin put off taking a stand until another admin more familiar with your org or that NPC comes on?

2. How do you deal with a clearly forgetful NPC? Do you just ignore it and work in a reminder about what you last spoke about? Do you call the NPC (and thus indirectly the admin) on it ("How could you already forget what we spoke about last month?")?

3. Do players ever drive RP plot lines? For example could I speak with a Kephera Queen about my (made up) concerns that the illithoid seemed to be breeding faster than normal, and that might in turn give an admin an idea for a mini event? Or is that kind of player attempt to drive things frowned on?

4. Is the typical protocol to speak to an NPC and then wait around for a response, and if you receive none to try again? How long do you keep trying? Is it best to just ping them once a day, or is it fine to keep asking multiple times over an hour just in case?

5. Is there any other advice or guidelines you can give me on the way you have done things in the past with respect to NPC interaction?

This is all driven by my desire to try and address, in game and in a positive manner, some of the concerns that this thread raised. I can see a great deal here to build on, both with interactions between the two Harmony guilds, as well as the Supernals, players in Celest, and the Kephera. Before I started to do anything major in game though I thought I would ask for some general OOC advice from those of you who might have done similar things before.

My biggest worry is that I, and other, players will go through a lot of effort but it will be pointless as there is some behind the scenes plan that we would be stepping on, or even worse there is no plan and thus it becomes very difficult to drive things as multiple admin interact with us creating confusion.

I think that the admins are able to turn on and off whether they hear such things, so they can focus on something else without being spammed by Munsia chatting with Trader Bob. I know that they have a ton of things to do, from dealing with issues to building new areas to coding to preparing for events to working as patrons to approving designs and a host more too large to list; so if they're too busy to jump in when you try to talk to an NPC, don't take it personally, and don't be discouraged.

I've been told that there are character notes for significant NPC's. No mention of how detailed they are, and of course all notes would require the controlling admin thinking it was important enough to write down.

The same admin that shared that with me said that she wouldn't go anywhere near an NPC that was being asked what seemed like a question that the NPC should know but the elder didn't know.

Generally just chat with the NPC, if it seems they're not talking you'll have to try again later. Just keep at it, someone'll notice eventually.

Me, Arilyon and Emar all bother Brennan and we very rarely get a reaction despite plotting his replacement. Although, he likes to give Arilyon a good cuff.

Definitely don't call a mob out on forgetting something, that sounds like a great way to annoy the possessing divine. Exposition dump if you have to ("as you know, Rak'ia, ...")

As for pinging, I try once an hour if I really need a response, but...I've tried several times an RL day for weeks on end before and gotten nothing, so don't expect to get lucky. You also might want to try and do it during peak American hours, or slightly after them, during the daytime there won't be much hope of a response I'd think.

Subject would likely affect your chances heavily.

Playful fun time ++

Draining interogation --

Like when the zombie corpse came alive and started attacking the novices

Like when the zombie corpse came alive and started attacking the novices

Why did that thought make me laugh so hard?

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "You said i scared you."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "No, Sekneov does."

Sekneov strikes a pose.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Oh."

Elken utters a deep, rumbling laugh.

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "Speaking of which, I had this follower of Nil follow me around a few days ago...said he was studing me...kind of creepy actually."

Elken blinks.

Devin smirks.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "That's beyond creepy..."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Yes studying."

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "Neat."

Elken rolls his eyes.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Women call it stalking i call it love."

Devin puts his hand to his forehead and swoons.

Devin utters a deep, rumbling laugh.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "I'm a guy and I call it stalking..."

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "Oh brother..."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Yeah but you are kinda umm how should i put this."

Sekneov gives the corpse of Uriman a friendly hug, and says "Love you!"

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Um you?"

A look of sweetest innocence overtakes Sekneov.

Elken glares angrily at Devin.

Tsukiryu raises an eyebrow at Sekneov.

Devin gives Elken the once-over, eyeing him suspiciously.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "Don't mind me... I was an Ur'Guard before I was a Serenguard."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Got a problem?"

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "So... I have a thing for dead... Stuff."

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "I like Elken as he is."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "So do i."

Elken's mouth turns up as his face breaks into a smile.

Elken gives Tsukiryu a compassionate hug.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "But me."

Tsukiryu flashes Elken a joyous smile.

The corpse of Uriman groans angrily, shifting in Sekneov's arms as he reaches out toward Bobbins.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "I am a tae'dea of a different color."

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light exclaims, "HOLY!!!"

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "Goodness."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "WHAT THE!?"

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "That was awful."

Skein blinks.

Finger extended, Sekneov pokes a canvas backpack.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "That was disturbing."

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light exclaims, "What the HELL was that about!!! IT MOVED!!"

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "What the Nil was that!?"

Devin utters a deep, rumbling laugh.

Skein says, "Perhaps it would be best to lay him to rest?"

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "I think so."

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "I don't know why it was looking for Bobbins, either. I don't see Bobbins anywhere."

Sekneov peers about himself unscrupulously.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Me either..."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken exclaims, "BUT STILL!"

Elken shudders violently.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "But... But he's my pet... I don't want to lay him to rest."

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "Exactly!"

The corpse of Uriman crawls out of Sekneov's pack and moans loudly as it hisses, "Put me down."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Nice."

Throwing back his head, Elken screams agonizingly.

Sekneov blinks.

Devin stumbles and pokes himself in the eye.

Sekneov pets the corpse of Uriman ingratiatingly.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "Shh... Be a good corpse. No talking."

Looking slightly worried at the situation Elken quickly hides behind Skein.

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "Oh godess..."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Murder it Skein!"

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd steps towards seknov.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "You can't murder it, it's already dead."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd steps towards sekneov.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Ok then mutilate it!"

"Brainsssss" hisses the corpse of Uriman as it slowly crawls up Sekneov's body toward his head.

Sekneov blinks.

Elken rolls on the floor, laughing.

Mistress Skein, a fate guide says to Sekneov, "But you can let it have it's peace."

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light exclaims, "Someone do something!!"

Sekneov's eyes widen in disbelief as he shouts, "Oh my GOD!"

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "That settles it it obviously would like to be used as a football."

Sekneov ceases to wield a shimmering shortsword etched with leaves in his left hand.

Sekneov begins to wield the corpse of Uriman in his left hand.


Sekneov tosses the corpse of Uriman to Skein, and she catches it nimbly.

Devin utters a deep, rumbling laugh.

Skein smiles softly.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "You can have it."

Devin ceases to wield a massive marble battleaxe.

Sekneov begins to wield a shimmering shortsword etched with leaves in his left hand.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Throw it here."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Now THAT was funny."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Im open."

You give Devin the once-over, eyeing him suspiciously.

Elken rolls on the floor, laughing.

The corpse of Uriman launches himself from Skein and lands on Sekneov again, gnawing hungrily on his head.

Devin utters a deep, rumbling laugh.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken exclaims, "Aah! My ribs!!"

Sekneov sticks his tongue out and says 'Ack.'

Elken laughs out loud.

Tsukiryu shakes her head.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "No, no!"

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Can't...stop....laughing...."

Elken rolls on the floor, laughing.

Devin jumps on Sekneov and playfully wrestles with him on the ground.

Sekneov, Seren Brave claws at his head, trying to remove Uriman's corpse from his head.

Elken rolls on the floor, laughing.

Devin gives Elken the once-over, eyeing him suspiciously.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "My brains! Mine!! Not food!"

Elken rolls on the floor, laughing.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says to the corpse of Uriman, "I treated you well, don't be like that!"

Elken rolls on the floor, laughing.

Digging his fingers into Sekneov's shoulders, the corpse of Uriman moans loudly as the young man tries to pull him free.

Tsukiryu grabs protectively at herself.

Devin starts to wield a massive marble battleaxe in his hands.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Ah! Ah! Please! Stop! My ribs!"

Elken rolls on the floor, laughing.

You see Sekneov, Seren Brave yell, "Help! I need a helm to protect my brains!"

Elken rolls on the floor, laughing.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd jumps on uriman and attempts to snap his clammy neck.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says to Devin, "Oi, don't hurt him!"

"Brains gooood...", is all the corpse of Uriman mutters as it gnaws on one of Sekneov's arms.

Devin ponders the situation.

Sekneov, Seren Brave exclaims, "Noooo....!"

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Hes already dead so i dont see how it would hurt."

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "Well his head will flop over to one side if you break his neck."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Er..hehehehe....laughing....rather."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Er..."

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "I like it when it's straight."

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "Skein, can you help? It's going to eat Sekneov."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Nah."

Sekneov, Seren Brave clamps his paws over his head even tighter.

Mistress Skein, a fate guide says, "It is the consequences of his actions."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "It dont hurt till the bones show."

A disembodied brain drags itself in from the north.

A disembodied brain drags itself off to the north, leaving a trail of slime.

Sekneov blinks.

Elken rolls on the floor, laughing.

Devin stands up and stretches his arms out wide.

Devin leaves to the north.

Devin arrives from the north.

Devin shrugs helplessly.

A disembodied brain drags itself in from the north.

A disembodied brain drags itself off to the north, leaving a trail of slime.

Devin leaves to the north.

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "What was that? Was that....a brain?"

Devin arrives from the north.

Skein nods her head emphatically.

Sekneov blinks incredulously at the corpse of Uriman.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "What did i miss?"

Devin points off into the wild blue yonder.

Elken blinks.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "Go get the brain, Uriman!"

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Yay for me being calm!"

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "Fetch!"

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Bring it to me."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken pokes at the corpse.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "Look, your dinner... It's slithering across the floor..."

Spying the brain as it moves in and out of the room, the broken and bloodied corpse of Uriman launches itself from Sekneov's arms and crawls to the north after the moving brain.

Sekneov yawns suddenly and mightily.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Anyways how are you tsukiryu."

Sekneov shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.

Sekneov ceases to wield a shimmering shortsword etched with leaves in his left hand.

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "Well....this has been an...interesting night."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken stares after the corpse...blinking with a blank look on his face.

Sekneov yawns suddenly and mightily.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Anyways how are you tsukiryu."

Sekneov shifts his eyes suspiciously from side to side.

Sekneov ceases to wield a shimmering shortsword etched with leaves in his left hand.

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "Well....this has been an...interesting night."

Seeker of the Moon, Elken stares after the corpse...blinking with a blank look on his face.

Sekneov begins to wield the corpse of Uriman in his left hand.

Sekneov hurls the corpse of Uriman north.

Devin leaves to the north.

Sekneov nods his head emphatically.

Elken opens his eyes wide with shock.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "SEKNEOV!"

Sekneov blinks perplexedly for a moment before emitting a confused "Wha?"

"Ewwwwwwwww!" says Elken in disgust.

Devin arrives from the north.

Skein creases her brow in a frown.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "The brains went thataway!"

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "How do i bury him?"

Devin leaves to the north.

Devin arrives from the north.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "You...ate...it...."

Elken shudders violently.

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "With a shovel."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Hes gone."

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd says, "Never mind."

Sekneov wipes the back of his hand across his brow in relief.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "SEKNEOV ATE IT!"

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "I didn't eat anything!"

Devin gives Sekneov the once-over, eyeing him suspiciously.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "I saw you!"

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "You saw me do what?"

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "Ate what? the brain?"

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "I saw you!"

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "You saw me do what?"

Page Tsukiryu, of the Armies of Light says, "Ate what? the brain?"

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd checks to see how sharp his axe is.

Sekneov begins to wield a shimmering shortsword etched with leaves in his left hand.

Seeker of the Moon, Elken says, "Nooo he shoved the corps down his throat!"

Sekneov blinks.

Sekneov, Seren Brave says, "No, I didn't..."

Tsukiryu stares blankly into space.

Elken blinks.

Wyrm Devin, Ward of the Wyrd twirls his axe.

If someone starts a mini-event and then stops halfway through. how do I get it started again?

If someone starts a mini-event and then stops halfway through. how do I get it started again?