Topics

16

Roleplay / Roleplay and RPL's

« on: October 27, 2013, 10:58:21 pm »

As you know, we are trying to bring a little more roleplaying back into 4D.  It's time consuming and at times a thankless task made even harder by the fact that you have to really search to find out who wants to actually roleplay and who just wants to do stuff to get more/different stuff.  And it is hard to catch roleplaying newbies if there are no roleplayers on.  The quests are quite fun and interactive to begin with, but later on, you really want a person to rp with. 

4Dimensions won't ever be a hard-nosed roleplaying mud - we're much, much, much too lenient for that, but that's not to say we can't have some fun trying to make it fun for people to roleplay.  Now, having said that, I need help from the people that want to roleplay and want roleplay to be more focused on in 4Dimensions.  Whether you have or have not been a roleplayer, I want to know what your definition of an RPL (Role-Play Leader)is and what an RPL should do and should be able to do - and even what they should not do or should not be able to do. 

Currently, I think our best resource for an RPL is the alien invasion loader (provided they have access to using it) as it sets up the invasion as a roleplaying scenario with the RPL running the session like a GM would run a game.  There has been work on advancing that so different mobs would be able to invade certain areas and not just having aliens run amok in every dimension.  There is also work on making some of it be holiday related.  There are some games we've wanted to try out, but the lack of players at this time makes it difficult to do: ie: if there are only 2 players and I have to figure out who the mafia is and I'm not it.. kinda easy...

I'm currently trying to make it easier for RPL's to load things needed for their quests - though not just loaded for fun, trying to have a story behind why something is happening.  Ghosts/vampires/witchs/zombies are great for Halloween, but also would be great for an undead invasion of (choose your place here).  If RPL's are also able to restring items (I think Xerxes was working on something like that) then it would make it easier for them to create their own items (and not use up a bunch of vnums) for a roleplay session - also easier for them to do rp on the spot (or close to on the spot) than what we usually end up with now.

So, I guess what I want from players is to 1) know that we're trying to work on things and 2) I really do want to know what you guys want from your RPL's and maybe what you don't want from them.  Personally, I don't think they should have to strong-arm anyone into playing an rp session and if there aren't enough players, then I guess the session will just have to be dropped (even with all the planning that's gone into it) instead of them begging and pleading for people to play.

What is your definition of what an RPL does/should do/should not do?

17

News & Announcements / How many action figures have YOU collected?

« on: October 23, 2013, 03:53:40 pm »

The title says it all.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, log into 4Dimensions and see what its about.

18

Building Board / Various Building help links

« on: October 18, 2013, 04:07:48 pm »

I was thinking today (while I was reading the Friday Gems from gamemaster (and blogger) Johnn Four that some of the stuff he posts could be used by builders building an area in a mud.  I mean, how different is building a mud area than building a gaming world?  So, here are a few links to get you started with more to come.

Coming up with unique names for rooms in a dungeon can be difficult and hackslashmaster (or whatever name that person is actually using) has come up with a simple (?) solution - multiple tables.  Check out the link here: http://hackslashmaster.blogspot.ca/2011/03/on-table-for-mega-dungeon-zone-names.html

Also, Chaotic Shiny has quite a few random generators on their page for almost anything you can think of.  Check them out at:  http://chaoticshiny.com/index.php

19

Roleplay / RP Stories

« on: September 21, 2013, 01:12:05 pm »

Since we seem to have hit our max on the website for rp stories for those that applied to have the rp flag - or there is some other unknown reason we can't add rp stories, they'll be going here.  It actually makes more sense anyway in the long run so... here you go.  Though, I must admit, it was easier to look up a specific name on the website...

20

Roleplay / Talk Like A Pirate Day

« on: September 19, 2013, 07:53:51 am »

Capt'n Jack sent me this message to share with all of ye.

Today be me favorite day out a th'whole year. N why be that, ye ask? It be th'day th'bartender up at Bell and Bush tavern be servin me favorite grog. It be a good thing too. Me ship just sank n me be needin some grog to uplif th'ole spirits. Join me fer a pint or two. Me be needin someone ta tell me tale to.

21

Suggestions & Ideas / Role Play Leaders (RPLs)

« on: September 17, 2013, 04:39:05 pm »

I was going to continue this on a previous comment on the "pretitle and login message" or whatever it's called, topic.  Then I decided this warrented it's on topic, so here it goes:

I think the main problem with RPL's was the fact they couldn't do much that really affected the game.  Without a lot of prep work, they could use the room echo to make it look like something happened that didn't really happen.  With a lot of prep work, they can do a lot - but they have to involve some IMM who also has a life and has to have their arm twisted to build rooms/items for them and then set it all up in game.  And the last few years no-one's really responded to the "lots of prep work" rps very well.  It's like you have to twist the players arms to play.  Riley had some really neat roleplays that took time to build and set up and we were able to force about 5 people to go through it and play along.

And yes, I know everyone has a life and with all the different timezones to cover, it's really hard to be able to have the RPL's on when needed/wanted always running events.

If I could, I would have an RPL from each time zone and be working with them.  But, as noted with the above changes going in to help RPL's be able to do more, there has to be a lot of trust put into the RPL and because of that, it's not just for anyone and there may not be people in every time zone (or even every other time zone) that's right for the job. 

I'd also like RPL's to have their own "working" area in the build port - this makes it so they don't have to bug an IMM to build their stuff, they can build it how THEY want it, though of course there would have to be a check over the items/rooms/mobs/etc to make sure they still fit our guidelines.  They would still need an IMM to put it in the game though.  This means that most RPL's probably should be able to build - at least hook a few sentences together that makes sense - but I won't require it for everyone because if you can create very good roleplay situations on the spot and don't really have need of all the big prep things, you may still be a good choice for an RPL.

Most of all, I want RPL's to be able to help the roleplayers have fun.  We've been getting quite a few people looking for RP, but they also don't want to be forced to have to roleplay ALL the time.  What's the fun of making friends if you HAVE to be in character with them and you can't talk to them like a real person some of the time?  But that's just my opinion.

I guess what this all boils down to is I've basically made myself the head of Roleplay Leaders (whether or not someone else wanted the job) and am looking for a few good people.  If you're interested, give me a holler.  If you don't hear back from me, you may have to poke me to remind me you asked about it.  And if you get a "I'm not sure you're a good fit", don't hold it against me.  I'll be asking other IMM's for their thoughts as well because trust has to be a universal thing for us to give out the title of RPL.

22

Suggestions & Ideas / October Fun And Games

« on: September 04, 2013, 09:57:34 pm »

It was mentioned on another thread about having more than just the Haunted House area open for Halloween - something to try and get more RP into the mud during this time.

Three ideas have been presented and I'd like to know who would be interested in doing either of these.

A Masquerade:
Basically, players would have to create a newbie character and, if they wished, have costumes made for them (at cost - provided there's a willing IMM - I think Xerxes isn't too busy...).  Players would get to mingle for a little while and then 3 questions would be asked to figure out who is playing the character.  Still decided on if this would be done in a different area so each player could ask their own 3 questions or if there would be general consensus on which 3 questions to ask.  Which would you guys prefer?

A Costume Contest:
Using only what you find in the game.  No restrings.  Who has the best costume?

Mafia Party Game:
Still working on the logistics of doing this via the game, but we think we've got a good idea going on how to do it.  Haven't played?  Neither have I.  Here's a link to the Wiki on what it is:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mafia_%28party_game%29
It sounds dastardly and I would hope at least SOME of the Sicilians would want to play a game with their name on it.  Though maybe that would be too much of a hint.

Let me know what you think.

23

News & Announcements / Building Contest

« on: July 08, 2013, 01:45:52 pm »

With the proposed opening of so many zones this year, I thought we'd need a list of the ones that are viable for the 3 gold tokens for the building contest.  These are the newly opened zones: (yes, I'm getting ahead of myself since at this posting only Utopia is new).

Utopia!

24

News & Announcements / Interested in building?

« on: May 16, 2013, 05:09:04 pm »

Have you ever been interested in building, but don't think you have enough of a plan for a full zone?  I am currently looking for some people that would like to either 1) create some small zones that would fit directly into 4D as it is right now (for example remaking the Unicorn Inn which has been destroyed since I joined 4D - this is already in the works by Gilgamesh) or 2) working on finishing some of those zones that are in the build port already - some of which are thisclose to being done (examples of those close to being done: Quixotica (needs scripting work - if you can find Kita, she may be able to give you further information as she was one of the original builders) and Killer Klowns (started by Alabaster and Diandra - needs scripting for the games).    There are many more zones in the build port that were started and never completed so if you have an interest, let me know and I'll see what's in there.

The thought is to let anyone who wants to do some building do it with a limited plan and to get some of the zones that are collecting dust in the build port actually in the game.

Kvetch

25

News & Announcements / 4d Price Guide

« on: September 01, 2012, 05:32:41 pm »

The "add a script" for 1 silver to perz's has been removed since it could be viewed as the ability to get ANY script thought of put on ANY perz.

I will "edit a script" instead for that 1 silver.  All this means is, if there is an echo that doesn't suit your character, I will, for the 1 silver fee, change that echo to something more towards your character (you do have to come up with the idea, not me).  For example, the raindrop ring that has a fairies appear and heal you.  If your character would never have anything to do with fairies *cough*Stile*cough* then I could change the echo to something more.. manly.  After all, if we were to allow people to add any script to any perz, what's to make anyone go out and get any items?  Just find out about one you like and add it to a current perz.

I am not going to "edit a script" on an item that won't let you wear two of them so you can wear 2, so get that out of your minds right now.  I'm not going to "edit a script" in a way that gives you an in-game advantage.

If you can think of a script that doesn't give you an in-game advantage, then feel free to note it to me if you wish to have it added.  If it is within reason (ie: doesn't give you an advantage) I'll consider it.

Kvetch

26

Typo Change Announcements / Typo Fixes

« on: April 29, 2012, 10:13:13 pm »

It seems that because people don't see us do it, there's a feeling that sometimes we don't look at the typo board.  Well, just to let you know we do!  New board to keep you up to date on all our typos that have been fixed so you know that Yes, we ARE working for you. 

27

Building Board / Character Variables

« on: April 26, 2012, 07:23:51 pm »

These are used in scripts, usually using %actor.<something or other>%  This is directly from the wonderful people at The Builder's Academy.  4Dimensions does actually have more than these, but these are a good fallback for almost anything.

Characters

In this context, %char% represents a variable for a character,

%obj% is a variable for an object, and %room% is a variable for a room.

When using field:
   

The variable returns:

%char.alias%
   

The list of aliases of the mob or the character name for players.

%char.align(<number>)%
%char.align%
   

The numeric alignment of the character.
If a subfield is provided, the alignment is set to this value.
-1000 <= subfield <= 1000.

%char.affect(<spellname>)%
   

True if the character is affected by the spell <spellname>.
Example: %self.affect(bless)%

%char.canbeseen%
   

True if the character can be seen by the mob.
Always returns true for non-mob triggers.

%char.cha%
%char.cha(<value>)%
   

The character's charisma.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.class%
   

The character's class, as a string.

%char.con%
%char.con(<value>)%
   

The character's constitution.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.dex%
%char.dex(<value>)%
   

The character's dexterity.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.exp%
%char.exp(<amount>)%
   

The character's experience points.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current experience.
Currently the limit is set to 1000 exp. Do not abuse this feature!

%char.eq(<position>)%
%char.eq(*)%
   

An object variable for the object equipped inposition, if any.
The specified position may be either a position number (0-17) or the name of the location:
light, rfinger, lfinger, neck1, neck2, body, head, legs, feet, hands, arms, shield, about, waist, rwrist, lwrist, wield, hold
When called with * as subfield, it will return whether or not the character is wearing anything at all.

%char.fighting%
   

A variable for the target this character is currently fighting, or an empty return.

%char.follower%
   

A variable for the first character following this character, or an empty return.

%char.gold%
%char.gold(<amount>)%
   

The amount of gold on the character.
If a subfield is used, the amount is added to the current gold amount.
Do not abuse this feature!

%char.has_item(<object variable>)%
%char.has_item(<object vnum>)%
%char.has_item(<object name>)%
   

True if character has an object with the correct characteristics.

%char.hisher%
   

"his", "her" or "its", depending on the gender of the character.

%char.heshe%
   

"he", "she" or "it", depending on the gender of the character.

%char.himher%
   

"him", "her" or "it", depending on the gender of the character.

%char.id%
   

The unique id of the character.
This is mostly an internal value, but can be useful when you want a unique identifier.

%char.int%
%char.int(<value>)%
   

The character's intelligence.
If a subfield is provided, it will be added to the current stat.

%char.inventory%
%char.inventory(<object vnum>)%
   

An object variable pointing to the first object in the inventory, or if a subfield is given, the first item with the correct vnum.
If such an item cannot be found, the reutrn is empty.

%char.is_killer%
%char.is_killer( on | off )%
   

The player killer status of the character.
The subfield sets or removes the flag.

%char.is_thief%
%char.is_thief( on | off )%
   

The player thief status of the character.
The subfield sets or removes the flag.

%char.is_pc%
   

True if the character is a player.
This is the new and official way to check this.

%char.level%
   

The character's current level.

%char.hitp%
%char.hitp(<value>)%
   

The current hit points of the character.
If a value is given, it will be added to the current stat.

%char.mana%
%char.mana(<value>)%
   

The current mana points of the character.
If a value is given, it will be added to the current stat.

%char.move%
%char.move(<value>)%
   

The movement points of the character.
If a value is given, it will be added to the current stat.

%char.master%
   

A variable for the master of the character, or an empty return.
The master is the person the character is currently following.

%char.maxhitp%
%char.maxhitp(<value>)%
   

The maximum hit points of the character.
If a value is given, it will be added to the current stat.

%char.maxmana%
%char.maxmana(<value>)%
   

The maximum mana points of the character.
If a value is given, it will be added to the current stat.

%char.maxmove%
%char.maxmove(<value>)%
   

The maximum movement points of the character.
If a value is given, it will be added to the current stat.

%char.name%
   

The character's name (the short description for mobs).

%char.next_in_room%
   

A variable for the next person in the room.
An empty return if this character is the last in the room.

%char.pos%
%char.pos(<position>)%
   

The current position of the character.
If a subfield is provided, the characters position is changed.
Allows Sleeping, Resting, Sitting, Fighting, Standing
Thx to Christian Ejlertsen for this contribution.

%char.prac%
%char.prac(<value>)%
   

The number of practice sessions available to the character.
If a subfield is provided, it is added to the current amount.

%char.race%
   

The character's race, as a string.

%char.room%
   

A room variable for the room the character is in.
Older versions returned a room vnum here.

%char.sex%
   

The character's sex, as a string (MALE, FEMALE, or NEUTRAL).

%char.skill(<skillname>)%
   

The percentage of learnedness in the named skill.

%char.skillset("<skill>" <value>)%
   

Set the character's learnedness of skill <skill> to <value>.
This variable has no return value.
Example: %char.skillset("magic missile" 65)%

%char.str%
%char.str(<value>)%
   

The character's strength.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.stradd%
%char.stradd(<value>)%
   

The character's strength addition (if str is 18).
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.saving_para%
%char.saving_para(<value>)%
   

The characters saving throw vs. paralysis.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.saving_rod%
%char.saving_rod(<value>)%
   

The characters saving throw vs. rods and staves.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.saving_petri%
%char.saving_petri(<value>)%
   

The characters saving throw vs. petrification.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.saving_breath%
%char.saving_breath(<value>)%
   

The characters saving throw vs. breath weapons.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.saving_spell%
%char.saving_spell(<value>)%
   

The characters saving throw vs. spells.
If a subfield is provided, the value is added to the current stat.

%char.title%
%char.title(<value>)%
   

The character's title. This only makes sense for PCs.
If a subfield is provided, the title is set to this value.

%char.vnum%
%char.vnum(<value>)%
   

The character's virtual number. -1 for PCs.
The check for %actor.vnum% != -1 is deprecated. Use %actor.is_pc% instead.
If a subfield is given, it is the equivalent of
(%char.vnum% == <value>)

%char.varexists(<var>)%
   

True if:
1. %char% has a script attached, and
2. the global variable <var> exists.
Otherwise, false is returned.
This is highly useful when dealing with remote vars on players.

%char.weight%
   

The character's weight.

%char.wis%
%char.wis(<value>)%
   

The character's wisdom.
If a subfield is provided, it will be added to the current stat.

%char.<global>%
   

If the specified field is not a recognized one, the character's script global list is searched for a matching global name. If found, its value will be returned. This can is also used to get values of vars set on players;

if %actor.varexists(testvar)%
  set testvar %actor.testvar%
end
* and then later in the script write it back:
remote testvar %actor.id%

28

News & Announcements / Upcoming Events

« on: February 15, 2012, 10:13:18 pm »

There will be a one shot roleplaying quest coming up on Monday, February 20th, 2012 at 8pm machine time (the time you get when you type date while on the mud) brought to you by the devious mind of one Priestess Riley.  Players will have to choose which side they want to help in the event and the winner will get a 2DR, 2HR, 2CHA item with a 25k timer.

Right now, the only information we have is that a drug shipment is heading into Little Italy at 8pm on Monday night.

29

Suggestions & Ideas / Races

« on: January 17, 2012, 09:04:53 pm »

I know it's been said before about the fact there are *only* 8 races in 4D.  Because it makes sense to have the same number of races from each dimension, we get stuck when we try to think of what could be from Old West Than Cowboys (sorry, Gringos) and Indians.  I don't have an answer for that because both are really just "human" race with fancy names.  And other than the names, there is really no difference between them.  I could come up with quite a few races for Prehistoric (because in prehistoric you're taking on the myths which is why we have Centaurs and Fauns currently from prehistoric), Minotaur would be a classic example - give him a natural attack gore and less natural dexterity to equal out.  For Medieval you have books and books (and roleplaying reference materials) to give you oodles (what exactly is an "oodle?") of races - goblins and kobolds from the Nightdragon Realms could be examples of this.  And for Future, you really want me to go there?  You can create almost anything and call it a race from future.  The "tentacle slugs of Varga 9" for example or any of the races created for the invasion aspect of the game.  I suppose if push came to shove on the old west thing, I'd suggest taking the Indian tribes and using them as races to give us more.  Too bad those gringo's didn't have tribes, though we are talking the old west so we could have "golddiggers" and "claimjumpers" I suppose...  But that would just putting a new name on an old horse - lots of new names.  Anyone have any ideas?

30

Suggestions & Ideas / Skills

« on: January 16, 2012, 08:05:59 pm »

Virisin had posted something about the awesomeness of how Skyrim has their skill trees and I'd mentioned having people try to figure out how to do our skills about the same way.  So, I gave the list of all the skills... Still waiting...  And while waiting I got bored (don't know why, I have plenty to do) and began doing a little bit of my own.  Here is what we currently have - with prereqs of skills and all:  Even after all that though, it leaves an awful lot of skills that don't have any prereqs.

Current Prereqs for skills:
Hand to Hand
- Backstab
-Bash
-blackjack
-Hamstring
-Kick
-Longarm
-Parry
-ShortBlade
-Grapple
- - <advanced melee>
-- grapple
- - <mounted combat>
-- joust
-- trample
- - <backstab>
-- slit
- - <longarm>
-- thrust

Melee
-berserk
-disarm
-dodge
-face
-smash
- - <backstab>
-encircle
-advanced melee
- - charge
-master melee

Longarm
--<face>
- behead
- - <grip>
-cleave

Riding
-mounted combat