Event Catastrophe and New Event Guidelines

[+Veritas]

I'm posting this after the event that took place earlier tonight...

I apologize for the lag saturated mess that I called an event. I realize that some people lost some things tonight and were really inconvenienced. Also, I noticed that some heated words were exchanged between some players. I hope that has come and gone, and that people are okay with each other now. Some elements of the madness were on my end, and others were just circumstantial. Because of this, I would like to make a few statements...

Item Insurance
When you are about to do something new or difficult in Excelsior, I cannot stress enough how important it is to insure all items you cannot live without. In addition to this, I would also recommend dropping off all unnecessary items to your house or your bank. This can be tool houses, crafting keys, anything that you don't need at the event or new area and wouldn’t want to lose. In addition, make sure you have a good amount of raw gold in your bank before going out hunting. So...

1.) Insure all items that you don't want to lose.
2.) Store all unnecessary items that are not blessed or insured.
3.) Check to see if you have enough raw gold in your bank before hunting (600 gold an item each death).
...Also, survey the area for local healers and ankhs. That way you know where to go upon death.

Watch the Journal
This is crucial, especially for this situation. When a staff member asks you to do something, please believe that it is for your benefit or for ours so we can better serve and fix the situation.

That being said, I have more things to share.

After tonight, there will be a new event difficulty rating scale. This scale was developed by +Rayne, and will help communicate to shard members the difficulty of that event. It will be as follows:

Event Difficulty Rating Scale

Level 1 - New Player Only
-Specifically and exclusively for younger players. This could be for Young Status or for an age specified by the one leading the event. These events are specifically for the younger and less experienced players, and includes monsters and activities that cater to their skill and experience levels.

Level 2 - Early Adventure- Anyone Welcome
-This level is for all who are interested, and can include any number of event types. Hide n' Seeks, trivia, taming challenges, crafting challenges, and smaller/weaker monster events that require very minimal fighting actions by the player, but the event is not dangerous (like killing a pack horse for an item). Surrounding creature difficulty could vary depending on where the event takes place (Tram vs. Fel).

Level 3 - Adventure Level - New Players Welcome At Their Own Risk
- Tactics begin to play a role at this level. Events here can be town invasions, monster bashes, anything with monsters that can kill you if you are not careful. However, at this level you can expect that there will be easy monsters, fewer monsters and/or more opportunities for quick recovery (multiple ankhs, low cost corpse stones, etc...)

Level 4 - Challenge Level- Experience Recommended
- Tactics have more importance at this level. Typically at this level, there are multiple monsters that range from easy to moderate, with an ending condition of one 50,000 hit point monster fighting the mob of players on its own. The number of ankhs and other supporting stones can vary, but are typically easily accessed and at a decent price.

Level 5 - High Risk Level (A.K.A. +Veritas Level) - Death is eminent
- These events are constructed to cater to the players who are looking for a strenuous challenge for their characters. This doesn't mean that young players are not allowed, it is just recommended that those who don't have maxed combat skills, all 70's in armor, and weak pets participate with extreme caution. Monsters made for these events have multiple means of killing players, and can range from being one hit wonders (low hit points but insta-kill you), high hit point fire breathers, and bosses with accompanying mobs that annoy while you attack the boss. The point to these events is to simulate a situation that wouldn't ordinarily happen in the wild, and attempts to force players to use group-cooperative methods to fighting. This could be the use of designated healers and tanks, and even designated meat shields to eat fire breath attacks. If there weren't at least 10 deaths total in an event at this level, then it deserved to be at level 4.

Different rules can apply to different levels depending on the event type and the one hosting it. I like to run events where pets are not allowed, because I know the monsters are difficult and I don't want your pets to lose ability and stats. Also, I like to put people on an even field and also force people to learn how to fight independently from their pets. And...about trees...I know they are great and all with the near invulnerability they give, but they obviously mess with the lag in an immediate area. So, I would advise using them sparingly since you only need one up to keep a group healed. In the future, I am considering the complete disabling of Enchanted Grave and Volcanic Eruption.

Last note...

From now on, I will meet with everyone who is planning on participating in my events prior to their starting. I will explain the difficulty level and the rules of the event so that there is no confusion. If you are unable to make it to this gathering before the event, it is your responsibility to ask someone what the rules are.

[azure]

Sounds Great!

[Kile Morgan]

Before saying anything I first have to say I need to be told if I am coming off as overly negative or just out of it. It is not my intent though I fear currently I won't be able to help it.

I asked some of this before in game and was told yes or it would be considered. When can we expect the original post to be implemented? I've asked they be used, asked that events be posted in here in advance so more people would know it and be able to decide in advance on joining or not. I've asked for more that were not young player only or 5+ so more people could actually survive them and enjoy it more.

[+Veritas]

Last night's event was a quick decision. Posting on the forum for an event that would happen in one hour wouldn't have been feasible. But, I will meet you half way. I will postpone tonight's even to Sunday so that more people will be informed of its existence and what to expect.

-V

[Kile Morgan]

Was not referencing last night per say as much as a string of events. Last weekend, the ones both before and after it, etc.

That is all I ask, that way as many people as possible have a chance to in advance see an event coming, read the guidelines, and decide if it is something they would enjoy or not before rather then after the fact. I assume that was the whole point behind your making those guidelines months ago.

Going to also say something else because it feels like somehow you think this is something I want for me. I want it for everyone. I don't want to hear later "I would have if I'd known" "I didn't know till after I was in the middle of whatever boss" from players. Also from you "No one liked my event" "No one showed for my event". From my end all I can do to help that along is what I have done.

From the fact there is a posting on the event which I haven't read but will it seems you are doing exactly what you posted in your above guidelines. Thank you.