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Comments
Sometimes when complaints are made the steps taken to rectify it aren't acknowledged so I'd just like to put forth a formal thank you for taking those steps.
Shallam needed the reduct to pave the way for a new city. On top of that the rest of the continent was also dealing with the deaths within the pantheon. There were losses all around.
Cyrene was prospering just fine, and got a sledgehammer to the jaw over the course of this event. So, naturally part of Cyrene's playerbase is going to complain given the loss of the city.
I'm surprised there isn't more complaining to be honest, but people have been rolling with the punches as best they can.
If this event has led you to cancel your membership and consider retirement/quitting then you’re just a bad sport, sorry, not gonna sugar coat it.
Penwize has cowardly forfeited the challenge to mortal combat issued by Atalkez.
The event is just tiring. At the beginning of it, almost a full two weeks ago now, Cyrene was ripped out of players' hands. I don't know the actual metrics, but it feels like Cyrene has a pretty sizable portion of the active playerbase. Just roughly tossing numbers, I feel like around a fourth of the active playerbase consists of Cyrenians. So after displacing that massive number of people, we suddenly hit a standstill where most players feel railroaded. Achaean events are a very personal thing, there are people behind the NPCs and we need those people to move things forward. In many ways that is a strength of Achaean storytelling, but it is also a weakness. Because people need sleep and have their own families to take care of, there will be "cold" times where the event is essentially dead and stagnant. I don't hold anyone at fault here, I cherish the work people put into IRE, and I always push for real life to come first. I have to manage my own staff when it comes to burnout and not seeing their families.
But you have a large portion of the population who has had their city ripped away and has struggled to make progress on their own within the event. As stated before, it is very difficult to find people able to man and respond as many of the pre-established denizens of Achaea. So any player actively trying to resist and formulate ways of fighting the Tsol'teth feel like they are working at the speed of government. Contrary to that, the new Tsol'teth are able to be around, offer a plethora of interaction and between them all, are able to cover a good portion of the time active on the server. This makes players feel like their only options for interaction are via the tsol'teth. On top of that, people who log onto the forums see deep space alien waifu banter posted, of people giggling and loving the characters who are occupying their home and killing their populace (RIP Sir Lance). So your players feel doubly burned because it FEELS like only one side is even getting much attention. On top of that, while in game for Cyrenians, there are constant reminders of "Don't relax". Our channels fade and crackle, our citizens scream for mercy or get cut down, news posts are controlled by the enemy, among many other things. It has been almost a full two weeks and Cyrenians are unique in being the only city to have had to deal with losing their home, making it difficult to fully accept when people tell you to just relax, because the event itself is constantly reminding you and taunting you with stuff like "The conquered have no need of being remembered". Not only from the Tsol'teth, but IC within the first few days of Cyrene being taken, I've had characters literally tell Telendrieth they don't give a fuck about what happened to Cyrene, or even if it gets ruined for good. Those players are well and able to have their own opinions of Cyrene of course, as I wouldn't honestly care if Hashan and Targossas was scoured from the history books at this point in time.
Personally, as Shane, I've worked in the ER long enough to know you don't get a choice in what life throws at you, and you have to roll with life's punches. Use whatever experience or misfortune you experience to learn, because that may be the only positive you can get out of a situation. While this event has definitely left a pretty sour taste in my mouth, I personally will do what I can to see how it changes Telen. For the first time, I'm not sure if he's worth wearing Miramar's scales on his shield, because he's developing a racism against certain citystates. It'll be interesting to see where things go, at least. Though one thing I am tremendously proud of, is how players in general have pulled together during this event. Coming together to give support, conquering tide, or just straight up sitting down for therapy sessions and being an ear for your fellow players.
So that was a bit of a long winded post to just kinda point out that it isn't really just about the kawhe or strolling by CC.
(Just a quick edit: I know some of these have been worked on and may not reflect this very second in game. But just because it's fixed or better now, this is what people have been going through. People tend to remember bad experiences more vividly than good and all that)
I will point out that, very much unlike Shallam, Cyrene still exists. Shallam was just completely gone, including the organisation, not just the physical buildings. There's a very real chance you'll be able to get your city back by the end of all of this. That wasn't an option for us back then.
Results of disembowel testing | Knight limb counter | GMCP AB files
Beyond that, of course the event is taunting you. It has to motivate you to try new things before time runs out. Letting you settle back into routine runs counter to that.
Finally, "but IC within the first few days of Cyrene being taken, I've had characters literally tell Telendrieth they don't give a fuck about what happened to Cyrene, or even if it gets ruined for good. " The key part of that is IC, and secondarily characters. But then in the next sentence you say "Those players are well and able to have their own opinions of Cyrene of course." Not that people aren't necessarily being dicks ooc as well, but it's important to keep in mind the IC/OOC divide. Most decent RPers are not their character. I'm certainly not mine. Be ICly bitter about IC slights, but taking it OOC even accidentally is bad for everyone involved... including you.
The soul of Ashmond says, "Always with the sniping."
(Clan): Ictinus says, "Stop it Jiraishin, you're making me like you."
Condensed for your enjoyment:
>Tsol'teth humour<
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "We are considered a talented creator of such."
Saelily says in a chipper voice, "Whicheva' one of ya been advertisin' that shop... -He- definitely knows it."
Atalkez says to Trusad'an in a silky, smooth tenor voice, "I would like to hear your humour."
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "Difficult to translate. We will attempt such."
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "We believe we have achieved an adequate translation of the joke."
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "A member of the line of Law, a member of the line of Conquest, and a member of the line of Progress meet. It is a tense moment."
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "The Conquest line's eyes glow. The Law line's shadow uncoils. The Progress line's... legs twitch."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "I do not understand fully."
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "We contend that it is funnier in the language of Anzari-tarin."
Adrik says with a Jaruvian accent, "Don't worry, Trusad'an. You had me reeling from that hook, line, and sinker."
Atalkez says in a silky, smooth tenor voice, "Why are you all liars."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "Except Mezghar, because Mezghar's sense of humour is so strange he may even have believed it was funny."
Mezghar whispers to Atalkez in a rumbling, basso voice, "When a guest tells a joke, you're supposed to think it is funny."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "That is courtesy. Not humour."
Trusad'an says to Taelle in a smooth, baritone voice, "We consider that it may be less humorous in explanation."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "Jokes typically are."
Trusad'an says to Taelle in a smooth, baritone voice, "We note that the line of Progress always presses forward. It wishes to complete the encounter and be back to task immediately."
Aranos says in a calm voice, "Well now that the joke is explained...it's not as funny."
>Targossian humour<
Adrik says to Trusad'an with a Jaruvian accent, "Want a humorous joke?"
Trusad'an says to Adrik in a smooth, baritone voice, "We will accept such."
Adrik says with a Jaruvian accent, "Why was six afraid of seven?"
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "Seven could more efficiently contain its instability."
Gattan'bahar says, "Negative."
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "We do not understand. Seven is inefficient. Why would Six be afraid of it?"
Gattan'bahar says, "Six is more efficient than seven."
Adrik says with a Jaruvian accent, "Because.. Seven Ate Nine."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "Seven, as a number of individuals, is less efficient than six. But the Seventh of the seven was stronger than the sixth of seven."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "So Six was afraid."
Gattan'bahar says, "Negative. Sixth of sixth is stronger than sixth of seventh."
Gattan'bahar says, "Proven."
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "Yes. Tests were undertaken."
Gattan'bahar says, "We do not like jokes."
You say in a hoarse, chirping voice, "I think this validates my point, not particularly known for humour."
Gattan'bahar nods
>Another attempt at humour<
knock you off your feet."
Gattan'bahar says, "Negative."
Adrik says to Trusad'an with a Jaruvian accent, "Why did the Cyclops close his school?"
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "We do not understand the question."
Gattan'bahar says, "Students terminated?"
Trusad'an says in a smooth, baritone voice, "This is a logical reason to do so."
Adrik says with a Jaruvian accent, "He had only one pupil."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "And the pupil was terminated?"
Gattan'bahar says, "We do not understand. If this is the case then why was the school closed?"
Gattan'bahar says, "One capable asset would be wasted."
Yen says, "The pupil was perhaps transferred to another facility."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "But then he would have no pupils. Not one."
Gattan'bahar says, "A pupil does not necessarily continue to study under the educator."
Gattan'bahar says, "We are Terrin'tuuran's pupil. We long since ceased our studies."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "So he had one pupil, and the pupil
>Gods please make it stop<
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "That is not a joke. That is a beheading."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "Granted, I would find it worth a smile."
>This one was a little funny<
Atalkez says in a silky, smooth tenor voice, "This one is from Tesha."
Atalkez says in a silky, smooth tenor voice, "A bear walks into a bar and says, "Give me a whiskey and a ......rum"."
Atalkez says in a silky, smooth tenor voice, ""Why the big pause?", asks the bartender. The bear shrugged, "I don't know, I was born with them"."
Gattan'bahar says, "We believe designation Atalkez should return to practice."
Adrik says to Atalkez with a Jaruvian accent, "It's okay.. your instability is already noted."
Atalkez says in a silky, smooth tenor voice, "Tesha told me that joke when I told her to quit using puns."
>More attempts at jokes<
Gattan'bahar says, "Mental defences prove adequate."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "Ruining my punchline."
Jiraishin says with a harsh Western accent, "The answer is... Whoever blinks, you lose. Unless you have steelmind."
All perpetrators at these failed attempts at amusement are hereby remanded to the Targossian Annex for Re-education of Dissidents to undergo mandatory re-indoctrination of proper humour based witnessing techniques. Those that fail to report in a timely manner will be collected by the inquisitors and flogged.
Shub
T.A.R.D. High inquisitor
(just trying to lighten the mood a little, no offense is intended towards the disabled)
(and before the gripes for the poor roleplay come in, we have legitimate reasons to attempt to build rapport with the tsol'teth)
That doesn't deter me personally as people tend to say a lot worse about Cyrene on a daily basis. Without the City though it can feel doubly jarring. Especially for the Cyrenian playerbase that doesn't often realize people do feel that way about the place, and the people they love to be around.
Those are the ones who've been disheartened the most I think over the course of things. Granted people shouldn't walk around with rosetinted glasses, but I'm sure it hurts nonethless.
I'm proud of the backbone and fighting spirit Cyrenians have developed as a result, and I hope it's something that we can carry over into the future regardless of what happens with the Tsol'teth.
The soul of Ashmond says, "Always with the sniping."
(Clan): Ictinus says, "Stop it Jiraishin, you're making me like you."
As for the Tsol'teth, I'm aware and have thought about it. But I don't honestly feel Telendrieth would ever treat with the Tsol. If he had the ability to scourge their lines from existence, he would heavily consider doing so for what they have done.
The soul of Ashmond says, "Always with the sniping."
(Clan): Ictinus says, "Stop it Jiraishin, you're making me like you."
Remanded I said! What is taking those inquisitors so long?
The soul of Ashmond says, "Always with the sniping."
(Clan): Ictinus says, "Stop it Jiraishin, you're making me like you."
Second, when I get tired in game, I take that chance to retreat to a quiet spot and start studying, fishing or writing. I go spend time with family. Remember, though the event is going on, your character is not suddenly a different person. Ayani tends to go hide in the Tree when she's not up for company or no one is about that she knows well enough to really talk to. It's her happy place. (Admin, you did an amazing job on those ambient messages and I will never grow tired of them.)
Even if the Tsol'teth destroyed Cyrene, I have little doubt that Cyrene's citizens would rebuild. We're too stubborn not to. Who knows! Maybe a new city would mean access to a city harbour! A story has infinite ways of unfolding. Do what you can to shape it the way you want it to be and use the events that occur to help guide you along that path.
Finally, I will be muttering curses under my breath for the next 10-12 days for having to miss the next bit of the event due to travel. It's like reading a really good book and getting to that final battle, then dropping it in the shredder. I really don't want to wait for a new copy to find out what unfolds. To everyone involved, players and staff, keep up the good work! Good luck, Achaeans!
We are incredibly lucky for every single minute that the volunteers spend logged in and we simply will not allow them to be sweeping targets for the unhappy few. If you have legitimate criticism or problems with any member of the Garden, please email Makarios or myself directly.
- To love another person is to see the face of G/d
- Let me get my hat and my knife
- It's your apple, take a bite
- Don't dream it ... be it
Events cannot cater to every character, and every city, and every ideology perfectly, Evil and Chaos can't always have their way, nor can the world just squash every threat the instant it comes up. In fact, they quite often are built to reinforce one particular perspective, if the Tsol'teth feel insurmountable its probably for a reason. The fact so many people are looking at what happened with Cyrene and thinking "maybe our best hope is to ally with the Tsol'teth" should be a testiment to how well they are being played and have been built.
And if you feel like you can't do anything this event, I'm not gonna sugar coat it, you're dead wrong. In fact, I cannot even think of a single instance in this event that hasn't been influenced by the players at all, outside the initial shard drop and initial crusade (IE, the beginning).
There was one point where I was a bit fed up with it: when we'd exhaust ourselves clearing tide, leave and come back the next to find it just as bad or worse than when we left. It would literally be back in all the areas I'd cleared. I almost stopped logging in, but instead I took a break from tide clearing and logged in just to chat. That worked.
I like how it was today (fingers crossed it's still this way) with the tide being pushed back so that we can divide our focus between "dor kill tide" and finding RP solutions. Raves to those who have been working on that end, with their news posts and letters, discussions and votes. It's not Freeling's thing, so it's nice to see some folks making the game more interesting with their hard work.
I don't mean to belittle those who haven't been enjoying it. I know I'm a very optimistic person in nature, and maybe have had a better experience than some others, but I just wanted to share my viewpoint. I appreciate all the admin have done, and I'm going to love having a character that's lived through some epic history. And yes, the fall of Cyrene was really hard for her to go through, but sometimes sad stories make the best RP. They certainly make great poetry. @Arin!
Generally speaking:
They have become stagnant (which is sort of the point of Cyrene), so this shakes things up.
They only engage in conflicts when rhey get raided, and that is usually the same handful of people. This gives them all something to fight for while not violating their oaths/the ethos of the city.
They tend to perform bureaucratically, which takes time (and has become the running joke here on forums). This offers their leaders a chance to make a series of immediate decisions, that may or may not work/be good. In the end, that will make them far better leaders - even if only bureaucratically.
They tend to be fairly insular. This forces them to engage with the outside world and the vast playerbase more.
The event also adds incredible depth to the routine and boring city, while providing stories they can share with their kids (newbies) about how when it came down to it, the entire city - regardless of standard infighting - stood together, making the entire city bonded and stronger in the long run.
Stop looking at everything as a negative. Even if you don't like the event because you can't enter Cyrene for a bit, it has a lot of positives that really only apply to Cyrene for that negative. Basically, you were chosen. Stop looking at it as a punishment by the admin.
Edit: ninjad by @Taryius by like 90 minutes.
That said, Cyrene's ambassador and newcomer aides, most of whom have probably never had to take a full on newbie orientation without workable city tasks to help with basic syntaxes, now have to step up to take on newbies to keep them engaged without all the conveniences of city amenities. I'm really feeling for them and kudos to those who manage to still keep it engaging and interesting for new players in these times.