Good eve, Catskills.
We’ll be holding a variety of events on Saturday, all centered around player vs player combat. The global rules will not vary from event to event, as they will be minimal, but the actual rule set and goals for each event will differ. On Saturday, depending on our time limit, we will be holding three events. I will give a brief explanation of each after explaining the rules.
Global Rules:
Combat – No Ggreater Dragons.
Teams – For each event, teams will consist of a maximum of four players, a minimum of three, obviously in every event it is to your advantage to have four players at all times. Teams can formed by players beforehand, and this is the recommended course of action. Of course, if you do not have a teammate, or a full team, we will assign based on who is remaining. Keep this in mind when forming a team - One event on Saturday WILL require one teammate to have the stealing skill (at least if you wish to have a high chance of winning). Also keep strategy in mind when forming a team, all factions may not always be the best route, lest you find your entire team in stat early on.
All who plan to attend this event need to email me at EMKasaven@gmail.com with your team member’s names, murderer status(red/blue) and faction status. I need the names of all who intend on attending this event so that I can plan and construct the arenas accordingly. I will edge toward rounding the numbers up, but if you are not signed up beforehand, there is no guarantee that there will be room for you or your team. Also, if sign up is insufficient, the gauntlet will be postponed.
No leaving the event area and returning (I.E, recalling out). Bring your resources with you. Teams will consist of no more than 4 players. No substitutions during an event. Substitutions can be made after an event. A team can only substitute two members in one night.
NO FIGHTING within the PvP house unless it is part of an event. Doing so will find you banned from the house and from further competition.
If needed, there will be a 20 minute cool down between each event to discuss the rules of the next event and to allow everyone to exit statloss. I’m sure this will be required. Take the time to use the restroom and have a beer (grab one for the presiding EM), but there is to be NO FIGHTING during this downtime. Fighting at this time will waste everyone’s time, and you will find yourself disqualified and banned from further participation.
Last but not least, expect death! This is for fun, but you will die, you will lose insurance. If you are not comfortable with dying to another player, do not attend.
There are also a few common courtesies that should be followed at all times whether during downtime or during events.
Murder counts: Avoid giving murder counts. This allows for all play styles, reds and blues, to attend the event and enjoy themselves. Don’t ruin it for others. This is a soft rule, one that should be followed out of respect for players.
Trash talking: There is no place for it at these events.
Rules are subject to change, and be added, at any time before July 24th at 7:30. Global rules (those that apply to every event) will be explained again before the events start, and individual event rules will be explained before each event.
A brief introduction to the events of the Dynamo Gauntlet:
1) Item Hoarders
Our first event will require teams to obtain “Dynamo Gauntlet Chests” which are made heavy enough that you may only drag them (think bag ball). A multitude of these will spawn in a center area. You will return this item to a grouping of tiles at your base, placing one on each tile, which you must carefully guard. Once all 6 tiles are covered, the chests will start to lock down on their tile, one chest per minute, as long as all 6 tiles are covered The winner will be determined either when one team has all of their tiles covered with a locked down chest, or when the time limit has expired. The time limit is TBD, depending on number of participants.
2) The Thieves’ Treasure
This event will require the participation of a thief on each team for best results. I often am told how thieves receive little love; well here is your chance to prove yourself! There will be items locked down throughout the area. It is the thieves’ job to hunt them down and return them to their base. The items will work like doom artifacts; they must be stolen to be unlocked. Once unlocked, they are obtainable by anyone. Bronze hued items will be 1 point. Silver hued items 2 points. Gold hued items 3 points. You must return these items to your respective starting locations and place them inside the chests. They will be cursed (and timered). The team who obtains all the items, or has the most at the end of the event, is deemed the winner.
3) Battle Royal
This is quite self explanatory. Last team alive wins. There will also be a time limit, and if it is reached, those with the most players still alive will be declared the victors.
Event Time: Saturday, July31st, 7:30 p.m.
Meeting Place: Tram or Fel Britain Counselor’s Halls. In Fel, you may enter the PvP house for safety. It can be found through the teleporter next to the Fel counselor’s hall and to the north. Remember there is NO fighting within the house. If you are banned from the PvP house, you are barred from further competition.
Also be prepared for Day Two of the Dynamo Gauntlet in the next couple of weeks. Each event will win you victories or points, and at the end of the Dynamo Gauntlet, there will be winners declared and awarded. This Gauntlet may span two days worth of events, or ten, it depends on player participation, enthusiasm, and cooperation. I would like to be as creative as possible with these events and run as many as we can. I am open to player suggestions for additional Dynamo Gauntlet events.
Kasaven
My question to the PvP community is this:
What nights are most active?
My first thought was to hold these on perhaps a Sunday, and a Saturday the following week. Then I thought a lot of players may be busy on the weekends. I always find Thursdays to be fairly active around prime time.
My question is, what time is prime time for PvP on Catskills?
7-11 p.m.?
What days would be best to hold events spanning 2-3 hours?
Weekends? Weekdays?
I prefer weekends myself, since some of these events could run late.
Also – A question regarding scheduling these events around statloss. I realize 90% of the PvPers are in factions. Would you be comfortable with a 20 minute wait period between events? (Where we would be explaining the next event rules, setup, so on) I know this is very inconvenient, but I am unsure of any other way to combat this, barring simply running the events right next to each other, and if you have statloss, so be it.
Thank you for the feedback!
Closing down The Ironworks armory for the evening, Abe reached for a nearby cloak to protect himself from the sudden rains that started falling earlier in the evening. His shoulders slumped and he sighed when he doused the lone candle lighting the room before heading out the door. The door closed with a thud and Abe placed a key in the lock, securing the building for any would-be thieves. Vesper was usually a peaceful town, but he was taken additional precautions of late since the disappearance of his brother Jon who owned The Ironworks armory. Leaning on a gnarled staff as a makeshift walking stick, Abe heading North to his home outside of Vesper.
Along the way he mulled over jumbled thoughts that have been plaguing him since last Saturday. He recalled how his brother Jon hired able bodied adventurers to protect him on his trip from the Minoc Mines to the blacksmith shop. Halfway through the journey from Minoc to Vesper however, he and those with him, were ambushed by brigands and mercenaries that seemed intent on separating his head from his neck. One of his pack horses was killed during the attack, and the remaining two pack horses fled into the wilderness along with the iron ingots they had been carrying. The battle with the brigands and mercenaries was well-fought but eventually the hirelings Jon employed proved to be victorious. They quickly shuffled Abe back to Vesper after the skirmish without further delay. Upon arrival at The Ironworks, Abe asked several hirelings to fetch Jon from inside the shop and tell him what happened. Much to his dismay, Abe was told Jon was missing, and the only clues as to Jon’s whereabouts lay with a bloody dagger and a pool of blood. His heart sank at the thought of harm coming to his brother. Several of the valiant adventurers soon noticed a trail of blood leading outside the shop and many followed the blood trail which lead to the Healers in Vesper. Within hours, several concerned people told him they had investigated his brother’s disappearance and tracked the kidnapping brigands all the way from Vesper to Britain and from Britain to the old brigand fort just north of the Britain Crossroads where Jon was currently being held prisoner. He was thankful for their help, as his aged bones and withered frame could never have traveled so far so quickly.
Coming out of his reverie, Abe pushed open the door to his home, took off his protective cloak, and poured himself a drink. With the knowledge that his brother was held at the old brigand fort, at the hands of the Antony Minot, he decided he would once again ask the same band of adventurers to lend aid rescuing his brother Jon. That pompous young brat, Antony Minot, must not be allowed to get away with this! He fumed, knowing full well that Antony Minot’s skill as an apprentice blacksmith was no match for Jon vast years of experience, and as a result, resorted to tactics such as kidnapping and attempted murder instead of competing directly based on products and trade. He brought his fingertips against his aging gray wiry beard, tugging at it gently, and started penning another note to nail outside The Ironworks tomorrow morning when he returned for another day’s work.
“Help needed in rescuing my brother Jon Dering from the old brigand fort where he remains a prisoner of that young scoundrel Antony Minot. Anyone willing to volunteer their services should report here on Tuesday, July 20th at 8PM EST. I ask that you sheath all weapons until I have a fair chance to parlay with Antony directly. It is my hope that young man listens to reason and returns my brother safely without resorting to violence. I plead for your help as I worry that Antony might try something hasty should I arrive alone without vigorous allies at my side. – Abe Dering of The Ironworks”
Event Date: Tuesday, July 20th
Event Time: 8PM EST
Location: The Ironworks Armory in Vesper (Trammel)
(gates will be provided from New Haven and Luna to The Ironworks in Vesper)
Hirelings needed for Ore Shipment
(The following note was seen posted outside The Ironworks armory in the town of Vesper)
“The Ironworks armory of Vesper is seeking worthy adventurers who are willing to serve as hirelings for an upcoming delivery of iron ore. My brother, Abe Dering, is currently gathering the necessary iron ore in the Minoc Mines for a new, valuable, customer of ours. Unfortunately, the crew of hirelings I typically contract with to provide protective services on the return trip home from Minoc to Vesper have decided not to renew their contract – for unknown reasons. I realize it may be difficult finding a worthy crew of hirelings on short notice but, all interested parties should meet my brother Abe near the entrance to the Minoc Mines located just East of Minoc, over the bridge. Due to difficult economic times, I am unable to pay you in gold for your services, but perhaps we might reach another agreement.
Jon Dering
Owner of The Ironworks, Vesper”
Event Date: 7/10/10
Event Time: 8PM EST
Location: Minoc Mines (96o 51’N , 87o 53’E)
A few notes…
In Commander Kanlocke’s office (located inside Castle British), players will find 4 new books detailing the following information:
1. A list of the current RBG regiments and highest ranking officer (Note – I am asking that the highest ranking officer of each RBG regiment should provide their player name/rank using the feedback form on this website (http://catskills.uoem.net/?page_id=168) so I have it for reference)
2. Information for players interested in establishing their own RBG regiment and the (in-character) process of doing so.
3. A report book for the RBG regiments to leave important messages for Commander Kanlocke.
4. A book containing orders or information for the RBG regiments, written by Commander Kanlocke.
- EM Nathael
4
Jul
After the ceremony to uncover an important artifact from Lord British’s vault, Queen Dawn announced that she ordered firework wands to celebrate. She informed everyone gathered that they might receive a wand from Cann at the Sorcerer’s Delight Mage Shop, directly south of the EM Hall. She said to merely ask for “wands” and Cann will be glad to assist those gathered before him.
This oracle event will be ongoing until July 5th, so get your wands while you can!
Happy 4th of July, Catskills.
Kasaven
Something is being uncovered by the excavators in Castle British Throne Room, and Dawn wants all the citizens of Britannia to be part of it!
Meet us at 7 p.m. EST in the Throne Room on Saturday the 3rd.
Also, a happy Canada Day to everyone north of us, and a preemptive Happy 4th of July to all those here in the states.
A Meeting with the RBG (Royal Britannian Guard) Regiments
Commander Kanlocke waited impatiently for Sergeant Zeke Goldmoon to arrive. It was strange for the young Sergeant to be late for a meeting as he was typically prompt. She tapped her fingers against the desk repeatedly thinking to herself that he had better have a good reason for his tardiness. When her patience had nearly ran out and she was about ready to leave her office for the general barracks to inquire as to his whereabouts, the door to her office opened and the Sergeant entered.
He hurriedly stepped to the front of her desk and offered a salute. She looked at him and saw an expression of angst on his face. She made him hold his salute a moment longer before returning it. Relaxing slightly and returning his arm to his side, Sergeant Zeke Goldmoon apologized profusely for being late.
“My apologies Commander. I did not wish to keep you waiting. Unfortunately, I was detained longer than expected in Cove and the return trip was met –“
She interrupted him. “Spare me the excuses, Sergeant Goldmoon. If you cannot manage to keep your schedule when given such a simple task, perhaps I should see fit to replace you with someone else who can? I need disciplined solders serving underneath me. You have gotten off to a rocky start with your new duties, I expect this to change – immediately. Understood?”
“Yes, Commander. Understood”, he responded to the obvious reprimand with a gulp.
She weighed carefully how harsh to be with the young Sergeant, seeing strong potential in him as an officer, and hoping to draw it out in a constructive way without coddling him along. New officers needed to be shaped, molded, and developed, and she would find a way to do just that.
Commander Kanlocke continued, “Sergeant, the reason I asked you to come here today is because I need you to contact the various RBG regiments stationed at New Haven, Umbra, Wind, and the Abyss Outpost. It is imperative that I speak with them. Go there and inform the local Captains, and others within their local regiment, that I require their presence here in my office on Tuesday the 29th at 9:00PM EST. Once they arrive, I will be demanding to see, in person, the specific areas these regiments patrol and defend. I will also be inquiring as to any specific threats currently facing each regiment and how the Royal Guard can continue to provide adequate support for these regiments. See to it, Sergeant.”
“Consider it done, Commander.”, replied Sergeant Zeke Goldmoon, “And what of the task given earlier in Cove, shall I finalize my report for your review by tomorrow morning?”
“I want your official report on my desk by sundown, Sergeant. Mind you, I said sundown. Not a moment later or you and I will have something more to discuss…” The Commander flashed him a look that displayed her serious demeanor when she spoke those words. “That is all for now, Sergeant. Dismissed”.
Raising his right hand to his heart, the young Sergeant saluted the new Commander, turned around, and walked from Commander Kanlocke’s office towards the general barracks where he would begin writing his official report about his earlier assignment in Cove.
Event Name: Meeting with the RBG Regiments
Event Day: Tuesday June 29th
Event time: 9:00PM EST
Event Location: Commander Olivia Kanlocke’s office in Castle British
A Helpful Guide and FAQ for the Royal Britannian Guard Regiments.
Q: Can you provide an example of the duties of proposed Royal Britannian Guards regiments?
A: Assuming there was, for example, a local Royal Britannian Guard regiment located in Britain, the RBG regiment stationed there would be responsible for defending the town of Britain and protecting its citizens against threats leveled against the town. For example, helping to repel an invasion from sinister and malevolent forces, or helping to gather specific information upon request from the Commander of the Royal Guard as it relates to a potential larger, overall threat, to the Crown and to Britannia. Local RBG regiments will likely also assist the town guards (currently NPCs) in maintaining order and enforcing town laws and edicts, helping the town guard solve crimes, etc.
Q: Will the local Royal Britannian Guard regiments ever perform duties outside of their designated areas?
A: At times, the various RBG regiments may receive orders from the Commander of the Royal Guard to defend areas outside of their normal jurisdiction. Furthermore, the Captain of the local RBG regiment may take it upon themselves to rally the troops in defense of other towns or city-states. For example, assuming there was a regiment of Royal Britannian Guard located in Britain, the local Captain of the RBG may order his troops to aid in the defense of New Haven, or perhaps a player-run town when the need is great.
Q: If players create local Royal Britannian Guard regiments, is there a possibility that EMs may create role-playing events and storylines around the guards?
A: Possibly, but there are no guarantees. We encourage players to take a proactive approach towards enhancing the role-playing and community experience for all players of Catskills. Creating local Royal Britannian Guard regiments can help achieve this goal.
Q: If players create local Royal Britannian Guard regiments, does this mean players will automatically receive special attention, items, or rewards?
A: No. Any possible EM involvement with storylines for the local Royal Britannian Guard regiments will be in direct accordance with their activity level and promoting open involvement within the community. There MAY be opportunities in the future to mimic what some other shards have done as it relates to recognizing the guards (other shard have provided sashes, for example), but the focus for the RBG should be community involvement and improving the role-playing experience for ALL Catskills players – NOT focusing on trying to get rewards/items.
Q: Are Event Moderator RPCs (Role Playing Characters) allowed to join a player’s RBG guild?
A: No, EM’s cannot join a player’s guild.
Q: Can players join an Event Moderator’s guild?
A: No, players cannot join an EM’s guild.
Q: Can you please explain in detail how the structure of the Royal Britannian Guard is organized?
A: Yes, a guide was put together to show how the Royal Britannian Guard and various player-run Royal Britannian Guard regiments are structured. This information was put together as a best-effort means to clarify the role of the RBG regiments currently formed by Catskills players. If you have comments or concerns, please forward them on to emnathael@gmail.com.
http://catskills.uoem.net/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/RBG-and-RBG-Regiment-Structure.jpg
(click the hyperlink above to open the document in a new window)
While this Guide only lists the (4) current RBG regiments formed by players on Catskills, additional RBG regiments may be created by players in the future as they see fit. Players are strongly encouraged to speak with one of the current RBG regiments to find out more information regarding joining the guard, training, or creating additional RBG regiments.
– EM Nathael
Captain Olivia Kanlocke had always been an early riser in the morning and eager to face the days challenges ahead. She sat at the edge of her bed, pulling on her boots, and donning the rest of her Royal Guard uniform. Her specific duties this week proved to be exhausting, yet rewarding. She visited each of the major cities in Britannia and spoke directly with the town guard stationed there. It was important for the Royal Guards serving under Queen Dawn to be in regular communication with the town guard garrisons. Her inquiries and meetings with the town guards served as a way to piece together intelligence related to threats that could potentially affect the safety of the entire Kingdom of Britannia. This task was something she had been doing almost bi-monthly for years now in her position as Captain.
This week however, she also spent time gathering information about the various Royal Britannian Guard contingents that were recently formed in some of the various cities. The Royal Guard had recently deemed it wise to leave a small, permanent regiment of Royal Britannian Guards, in places such as New Haven, Umbra, Wind, and even the Abyss Outpost. The Crown felt, by having a permanent contingent of Royal Britannian Guards stationed in these various cities, any potential threat facing those specific locations would be better handled with the accompanying aid of the local Royal Guards contingent, than by just merely the town guards alone. There was several heated discussions between high ranking officers in the Royal Guard as to whether or not the town guards, and Royal Britannian Guards, could co-exist without too much bickering between the two groups. Thus far, preliminary assessments have shown that no issues have arisen but the situation will be continuously monitored.
Having donned her uniform, Captain Olivia Kanlocke was now ready to speak with the Royal Guards underneath her direct chain of command, as she did every single morning. She prepared, in detail, the written orders for her subordinates last night before drifting off to sleep, as was her usual routine. She grimaced momentarily, anticipating yet more grumbling from Sergeant Zeke Goldmoon when he finds out what duty she is tasking him, and his patrol, with today. While the young Sergeant has proven himself to be a valiant man on the battlefield, he has yet to prove his worth in his newly appointed position of Sergeant – often lacking the patience needed to lead. She reminds herself to set aside time to speak with the young Sergeant privately, and offer him some helpful advice learned from her many years while serving in the Royal Guards. An officer, especially one as young as the Sergeant, can greatly benefit from the experience and wisdom shared by ranking superiors.
She snatched up the orders from the writing desk, grabbed her weapon, and was headed outside when the door opened up and a young man appeared. She recognized him immediately as Janus, one of the court couriers that serve Queen Dawn. “Greetings Captain Kanlocke”, Janus spoke. “ Sorry for intrusion this morning, but I was dispatched with utmost haste to find you before you left to speak with your troops. I have a sealed letter here from Queen Dawn that I was instructed to deliver to you.”
Olivia’s facial expression changed to one of surprise and intrigue as she took the letter from Janus and walked to her writing desk. She paused before opening the letter, looking at it curiously and trying to imagine what message the Queen might have for her. Unable to draw any conclusion of her own, she broke the wax seal, and began reading.
“Captain Olivia Kanlocke,
The Kingdom of Britannia is well-pleased to announce that your official promotion to the rank of Commander of the Royal Guards has been finalized and approved by her Majesty, Queen Dawn. An honorary commencement ceremony will take place on Sunday, June 20th at 7:30PM EST in the throne room of Castle British where the promotion will be rendered official. Queen Dawn looks forward to working with you in your newly appointed role and sends her gratitude for your many years of service with the Royal Britannian Guard.
Sincerely,
Jair Pratt, Royal Scribe of Queen Dawn”
After finishing the letter, she immediately re-read it once, and then once more for good measure. Could this really be happening? Several other ranking officers in the Royal Guard were under consideration for the promotion as well. Why was –
“Captain Kanlocke?”, Janus interrupted her brief reverie. “Will there be anything more?” Olivia closed the letter and placed it in the drawer of her writing desk. “No Janus, nothing more. You may carry out the rest of your day’s business.”, she addressed him and sent him on his way.
She sat in her chair, lost in thought, thinking about her upcoming promotion and how it would likely change her entire life. As the reality of the situation set upon her mind, she hesitated and had a brief moment of self doubt as to whether she was adequately prepared for such tremendous responsibilities. She quickly realized that all of her training and many years of experience in the Royal Guards would serve her well in the coming days and weeks ahead. A smile pursed her lips. Not a smile born of pride or accomplishment, but a smile for the opportunity to serve Queen Dawn and the Kingdom of Britannia, realizing that she would eagerly accept the challenge.
Captain Olivia Kanlocke got up from her chair and walked outside. She breathed in the damp morning air and looked up at the cloudless sky momentarily before heading off to meet with Sergeant Zeke Goldmoon and the rest of the troops under her command…
Event: Royal Guard Promotion
Date: Sunday, June 20th
Time: 7:30PM EST
Where: Castle British (Trammel Facet)