Avoiding PCs in favor of survival?

[Delirium]

First off, I must say NPCs are the worst for not emoting! A lot of them will chase you down if you run too! Bastards...

Second off - the way I deal with most raiders:

1) Don't look at them (don't type look figure) - If you don't know their face, they might let you live
2) I then do what my PC would do which could be:

i) Emote drawing my sword (nervously/confidently) then draw my sword - that shows I am more into the rp then just draw and kill
ii) Emote cowering off of the start - I have raided myself before by opening my pack, grabbing coins, throwing them at the person who walked up, and was like "PLEASE DONT HURT ME!"
iii) Emote noticing them in the distance, and running.

Sometimes you die, sometimes you don't. Yet that is the life in Arm.

After my incident some years ago with a Mul Assassin in Under Tuluk (I pointed undertuluk, walked south, got backstabbed killed, respawned, was like wtf, got backstabbed killed) I learnt how best to deal with deaths that happen in the flash of an eye. You need to understand you are writing a story, and not all stories end well. So if your character dies in a flash, well that can happen in RL.

... I forgot what I was saying, heh...

^ this person knows what's up.

[Synthesis]

I wouldn't be averse to a rule requiring interaction before PK, or before fleeing from potential PK.  The problem is applying it to ranged and surprise combat.  Simply not looking at someone isn't reLly a good solution, because generally you can't tell whether someone might be a threat or not until you see what they're packing.  Also, NPCs don't count...that's a spurious argument.

[Shepard]

I wouldn't be averse to a rule requiring interaction before PK, or before fleeing from potential PK.  The problem is applying it to ranged and surprise combat.  Simply not looking at someone isn't reLly a good solution, because generally you can't tell whether someone might be a threat or not until you see what they're packing.  Also, NPCs don't count...that's a spurious argument.

My argument had two parents who were married and proper, please don't say my arguments are of illegitimate birth!

But yeah, in the end - there is no solution. I frown when my character dies, I smile when I kills your character. It will never change.

I have had deaths before where I didn't even want to hear or see the emotes anymore, because it was an overpowered situation. Mc Shrug Sauce... I'm leaving this thread now.

[Maso]

I wouldn't be averse to a rule requiring interaction before PK, or before fleeing from potential PK.  The problem is applying it to ranged and surprise combat.  Simply not looking at someone isn't reLly a good solution, because generally you can't tell whether someone might be a threat or not until you see what they're packing.  Also, NPCs don't count...that's a spurious argument.

Krath no! If your character -needs- to kill someone for whatever reason, and wasting time interacting or not being able to 'surprise attack' in order to kill them (a la backstab??) would mean not being able to achieve that...then go ahead and just kill them. It sucks...but it's the game. What bugs me is when the PK'er is in a safe position to afford some interaction and role-play - but chooses not to.

[kayza]

I wouldn't be averse to a rule requiring interaction before PK, or before fleeing from potential PK.  The problem is applying it to ranged and surprise combat.  Simply not looking at someone isn't reLly a good solution, because generally you can't tell whether someone might be a threat or not until you see what they're packing.  Also, NPCs don't count...that's a spurious argument.

Krath no! If your character -needs- to kill someone for whatever reason, and wasting time interacting or not being able to 'surprise attack' in order to kill them (a la backstab??) would mean not being able to achieve that...then go ahead and just kill them. It sucks...but it's the game. What bugs me is when the PK'er is in a safe position to afford some interaction and role-play - but chooses not to.

I agree cept for the end.
If I hire/am/getting assassined, I don't expect them to RP my death.  I expect them to catch me/other alone, bs/arrow , and mantishead.  As without this, it prevents a very large fear of living in this world.  NPCs can be avoided and yeah drop all is great every time you run into a mugger or raider.  But crap it's only sid, really has no major impact except for being annoying.   Without the fear of being PKed all you have is NPCs or boredom to kill you.  If you live in the city, boredom and PCs are the only way your char can die.  Don't make boredom be the only end.

But I don't believe RP should always accompany death.
Death should rarely include closure or reasons, as that is not realistic to this world.  Not to mention I feel bad if your assassin gives some guy a chance to RP.. but he looks at you and bolts and tells everyone about you.

[solera]

But I don't believe RP should always accompany death.
Death should rarely not necessarily include closure or reasons, as that is not realistic to this world. 

Agree.  Death sucks.

[Maso]

I wouldn't be averse to a rule requiring interaction before PK, or before fleeing from potential PK.  The problem is applying it to ranged and surprise combat.  Simply not looking at someone isn't reLly a good solution, because generally you can't tell whether someone might be a threat or not until you see what they're packing.  Also, NPCs don't count...that's a spurious argument.

Krath no! If your character -needs- to kill someone for whatever reason, and wasting time interacting or not being able to 'surprise attack' in order to kill them (a la backstab??) would mean not being able to achieve that...then go ahead and just kill them. It sucks...but it's the game. What bugs me is when the PK'er is in a safe position to afford some interaction and role-play - but chooses not to.

I agree cept for the end.
If I hire/am/getting assassined, I don't expect them to RP my death.  I expect them to catch me/other alone, bs/arrow , and mantishead.  As without this, it prevents a very large fear of living in this world.  NPCs can be avoided and yeah drop all is great every time you run into a mugger or raider.  But crap it's only sid, really has no major impact except for being annoying.   Without the fear of being PKed all you have is NPCs or boredom to kill you.  If you live in the city, boredom and PCs are the only way your char can die.  Don't make boredom be the only end.

But I don't believe RP should always accompany death.
Death should rarely include closure or reasons, as that is not realistic to this world.  Not to mention I feel bad if your assassin gives some guy a chance to RP.. but he looks at you and bolts and tells everyone about you.

That's basically what I'm saying. I'm just saying, in some situations...for example and raider who has you trapped, tired and injured in the wild...and decides to kill you...and totally has the opportunity for some role-play because there is no chance you're getting out of there...but doesn't...that kind of scenario disappoints me.

[chrisdcoulombe]

PSHT...like you can't be killed in town.

[kayza]

I wouldn't be averse to a rule requiring interaction before PK, or before fleeing from potential PK.  The problem is applying it to ranged and surprise combat.  Simply not looking at someone isn't reLly a good solution, because generally you can't tell whether someone might be a threat or not until you see what they're packing.  Also, NPCs don't count...that's a spurious argument.

Krath no! If your character -needs- to kill someone for whatever reason, and wasting time interacting or not being able to 'surprise attack' in order to kill them (a la backstab??) would mean not being able to achieve that...then go ahead and just kill them. It sucks...but it's the game. What bugs me is when the PK'er is in a safe position to afford some interaction and role-play - but chooses not to.

I agree cept for the end.
If I hire/am/getting assassined, I don't expect them to RP my death.  I expect them to catch me/other alone, bs/arrow , and mantishead.  As without this, it prevents a very large fear of living in this world.  NPCs can be avoided and yeah drop all is great every time you run into a mugger or raider.  But crap it's only sid, really has no major impact except for being annoying.   Without the fear of being PKed all you have is NPCs or boredom to kill you.  If you live in the city, boredom and PCs are the only way your char can die.  Don't make boredom be the only end.

But I don't believe RP should always accompany death.
Death should rarely include closure or reasons, as that is not realistic to this world.  Not to mention I feel bad if your assassin gives some guy a chance to RP.. but he looks at you and bolts and tells everyone about you.

That's basically what I'm saying. I'm just saying, in some situations...for example and raider who has you trapped, tired and injured in the wild...and decides to kill you...and totally has the opportunity for some role-play because there is no chance you're getting out of there...but doesn't...that kind of scenario disappoints me.

Okay yeah that makes sense.  I mean it would be great if an assassin was in the second delay of bsing you.. whispers - Maso sends their wishes.. That would be friggan awesome!

But the knowledge that at any moment your char could get killed is a requirement.  So please start killing people now in hopes you get me.  Okay GO!

[AmandaGreathouse]

The one time I actually pked someone, I had to try it like 3 or 4 times, luckily not revealing my identity to anyone along the way. Once I found out the person was all about gtfo asap.... I had to use less conventional means, but after they appeared, I still had the time to whisper 'traitor' at them before they died. So there was that, at least. Then the meks ate him alive. >.>

[jstorrie]

I recommend against not looking at PCs, unless that PC orders you not to.

Without looking at them you have no idea what's going on. They could have a flaming sword and a bunch of glowing ioun stones and six legs, for all you know, and oughtn't you know?

So unless your raider calls out "Hold it! Drop your shit! Eyes on the ground or you're dead!" you should probably look at them.

[Dresan]

A long long time ago, I was raided by a naked mul. He wanted my mount. I raised my hands defensively and backed away towards it. I couldn't even understand what he was saying and i think i was saying something to the effect, "whoa there buddy, lets calm down now. No need to do anything rash". The Mul ran off, and then started throwing spears at me.

Dafuq, you throwing spears at my badass assassin? I don't know if i grabbed his spear or one of my own weapons but i just threw something back at him. After twinking using my throw skill for so long i'm guessing it hurt when it hit his neck because after he got back to his feet, he was gone.



The moral of this story is that if you want the pack/cloths/mount/tight ass on my badass rangers(which will now all be warriors from now on) that i've been twinking training hard, well then you gonna have to fight for it, son.


Unless you are a mage, you are welcomed to anything on me then, sir or ma'am. Unless i get a chance to type s;s;s;s;s.

[John]

I wouldn't be averse to a rule requiring interaction before PK, or before fleeing from potential PK.

Given I don't play much, feel free to disregard me. However I would hate to see such a rule. Just, no. We encourage good behaviour by rewarding it. We shouldn't say "you must do X amount of says/emotes before killing someone."

That said, I would definitely support a player driven standard that says you should interact with a potential PKer before fleeing/PKing them. Not doing it wouldn't be grounds for a player complaint. But doing so would definitely be grounds for a player kudos.

[musashi]

I would not want a rule like that either. Honestly.

[RogueGunslinger]

Some characters would never die.

[Nyr]

Fleeing is roleplaying!  I roleplay a lot, I know this.

[HavokBlue]

I haven't really read beyond the first page of this thread but...

In my experience playing PCs in lawless areas, it can be really frustrating to have people autowalk away from you faster than you can even get an emote off. It's also incredibly frustrating when people walk in and reel-lock me without anything besides "KILL MOTHERFUCKER" faster than my screen updates.

I wish I could tell you to give raiders/muggers/whoever the benefit of the doubt and stick around for some substantial RP, but unfortunately, there's not really a way to know if that's what's going to happen. My rule of thumb, from the perspective of a raider/mugger, is to try and interact with my target and give them a fun experience before making off with their nice things. If a target makes no attempt to play the situation out and spamflees, I default to some advice I received from Nyr:

I'm not saying it's not annoying. I am saying "stab the guy in the leg so he stops moving," or "shoot him in the face with a perained arrow so he stops moving."  :-)

[Lizzie]

I've found it easy to encounter other PCs "out there in them thar wilderness" and live to tell about it. What's hard to do, is know whether or not that "tall figure in the red windcloak" in the same room as an inix 3 rooms away, is a PC who's foraging for rocks, or a gith who killed his latest victim. So I -do- avoid tall figures in red windcloaks (and similar). Unless I really REALLY want the inix

Sometimes I might not have time for a PC interaction in the desert; I might be just wanting to get from one city to the next, so I'm "in place" the next morning when I log back into the game. Since I put that constraint on myself and chose to ride and not just log out for the night instead, I will ride away from PCs I notice during the journey, instead of riding toward them. If they're 2 rooms south of me, I'll move east, and then go south (for instance). And I'll justify it ICly by simply being a little nervous about riding that day and not wanting to get raided.

[Clearsighted]

It takes a long time...RL months, really, for any kind've raider concept character to be legitimately dangerous. After that, all it takes is one misstep and you're essentially hosed. It doesn't matter if you're playing a mul warrior with AIs across the board, you're going to die. So I don't know. If someone wants to raid me, they're welcome to do it with as little or as much RP as they can muster. Chances are, they're doomed. I'll give back exactly what I receive on a per-individual basis. Raiders that RP the most with their victims tend to survive the longest, cause people like keeping them around.

The first exception to this rule are certain sorcerers from ages past. Hell, for all I know, it could have been the same guy iin the last ten years who simply only plays that role. You've heard all the stories. They just do whatever they want and the rest of us are flotsam in their turbulence. They might RP with you, they might eat you. But you're not a threat to them, most likely, so they have no real 'impetus' to be desperate. 99% of the time, if you even notice them somehow, they are lonely and just want to play  .

The second exception, is if the raiders have some kind've coded support, such as belonging to a coded tribe. Such as a certain tribe of Desert Elves. But every single tribe of super-raidy desert elves has been wiped out, I think, by now. But what I do know, is that while those coded tribes persisted, the members were generally confident and comfortable enough (because they had safe places and continuity), that they were able to RP lots and lots around the various brigandage and not feel like they were screwed if someone got away.

What's the moral to all this? It's not really worth it to avoid anyone on the horizon, except for those wearing windcloaks. Screw those gith bastards.