http://www.zalanthas.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20094
I Like the outline. TWO THUMBS UP!
This is where I make the big frown face and sigh heavily.
:-(
/me sighs.
This is gonna be sweet.
Yeah, I'm kinda /lesigh too. Although it's going to make for some dang good stories.
GO HOME TEAM!
Sorry, my darlings. I held out as long as I could tonight... I guess I'm just getting old.
- Bluefae, who remembers when an all-nighter and work in the morning was no big deal
:arrow: Since this might take more than one day, will future events be carried out the same hour each day, until the HRPT finally comes to a halt?
I believe that it's...whoever is available at the time will be attending.
I actually kind of like it. More small encounters, rather than -everyone- killing -everyone- at once.
I love the idea.
This is the coolest HRPT idea ever!
This is an intresting new concept. I think will go great, of course it being new may be kinks in system and such. Hopefully hear how imms thought turned out after all said and done.
Amish Overlord 8)
A General Descussion of the HRPT opinion.....
We the players make the world come to life. The staff has come up with an incredible opportunity for us. Yay staff!
For this style of HRPT to work, the staff must be on hand for silly little small things. (And as I've encountered, they are)
The Leaders in this HRPT will make or break it's success. I've watches 10 hours of play and feel that players are going to need some riddlen.
-Yc
This changes the HRPT a bit, from the 'WARISHELLMASSCONFUSIONNPCSGANKINGONEPCATATIME' to more of a fantasy war, I believe, where PCs will drop one at a time, in smaller and smaller battles. It'll have true heros and true villians. I really, really, really like it.
We've moved from Napoleonic warfare to modern combat.
It's almost like a contrast between something like the first World War and the second. The first was characterized by men being blindly sent to their deaths in mass battle, but the second was more strategic and planned out (think Normandy or something like that).
Quote from: "Hexxaex"It's almost like a contrast between something like the first World War and the second. The first was characterized by men being blindly sent to their deaths in mass battle, but the second was more strategic and planned out (think Normandy or something like that).
Actually I was kind of thinking of the trenches in France in WWI. This reminds me more of that.
Quote from: "Cegar"We've moved from Napoleonic warfare to modern combat.
Which is good or bad?
I personally think this will be a really neat thing to experience, whether it works out and we continue doing this all the time or not.
I'm a huge fan of tactics, almost all the games I have on my computer are RTS style, and having Armageddon played out as one (the combat, at least) will only make it seem better.
This also puts the PC leaders in charge, to pull off actual tactics with specific objectives in mind (at least that's how I understand it will work).
So, awesome idea, staff. I look forward to participating in this.
A big complain about the past HRPTs is that the conclusion was always pre-determined even before the event started and players didn't have much impact. Now that its up to the players to determine who wins and how and why, let's not start another complaining about this and that thread :)
Quote from: "Malken"...the conclusion was always pre-determined even before the event started and players didn't have much impact.
That's actually not quite true.
Quote from: "Gimfalisette"Quote from: "Hexxaex"It's almost like a contrast between something like the first World War and the second. The first was characterized by men being blindly sent to their deaths in mass battle, but the second was more strategic and planned out (think Normandy or something like that).
Actually I was kind of thinking of the trenches in France in WWI. This reminds me more of that.
WWI trench warefare was just a war of attrition, slowly wearing down at the enemy. When soldiers were sent over the top to attack the other trench, there was no planning, but yeah, the fact that both armies are stationed and will be there for a long time is like trench warefare. Main difference is that any offensives will be tactically planned.
This is awesome, but, clear one thing up for me:
Is the whole battle going to happen in one specific HRPT, or are there going to be lots of little skirmishes n stuff that will go over a large period of RL time?
Quote from: "Lavalamps"This is awesome, but, clear one thing up for me:
Is the whole battle going to happen in one specific HRPT, or are there going to be lots of little skirmishes n stuff that will go over a large period of RL time?
That's up to the players involved and how many are on. It could, it couldn't. We can only wait and see. I believe the latter, though.
I'd imagine there will be lots of varied battles. One on one fights, even, if sentries stumble on each other.
And probably a few major engagements.
Quote from: "Lavalamps"This is awesome, but, clear one thing up for me:
Is the whole battle going to happen in one specific HRPT, or are there going to be lots of little skirmishes n stuff that will go over a large period of RL time?
My money is on both.
I think this is a wonderful idea. I hope to see a number of smaller conflicts before things end, so that off-peakers and peakers alike can get a piece of the action. This is so sexy, it hurts.
This is so exciting then!
The possibilities are endless!
War heroes,
valiant rescues,
corageous charges,
espionage and assassinations,
templars fighting in huge epic battles...
Maybe even some magicker involvement!
One sec, I gotta go to the bathroom :P
I've changed my mind, this HRPT sucks because I'm stuck at work instead of being at home where I might get to see/hear things happen. Blah.
Curse you, Halaster, for creating something so intriguing.
I'd rather see SimWar for awhile. So you might go into the "No Man's Land" between the two and see if you can ambush the other side's troops...but they might ambush you. Patrols, sentries, all that sort of thing.
Quote from: "Twilight"I'd rather see SimWar for awhile. So you might go into the "No Man's Land" between the two and see if you can ambush the other side's troops...but they might ambush you. Patrols, sentries, all that sort of thing.
This is exactly what we're trying to accomplish. Instead of a one-night massive battle where everyone dies and we have to approve 65 apps the next day, it's a drawn-out thing that could last RL days or weeks or who knows.. months. RPTS will happen very, very often - maybe even nightly, or a good four or five times a week. They may be small, they may be big. The catch, though, is that there may not be much warning or announcement - it's really going to be one of those "whoever is online right now, is who's invovled".
PC leaders are in complete control, so it's really up to them (they of course have been given operating guidelines) - I don't know what they're going to do.
I like it.
Say the word, and I will scan my breasts for you, Halaster.
You should post them as a reward for all of us that survived the HRPT, bloodfromstone. ;)
"bird is the word"
Quote from: "Malken"A big complain about the past HRPTs is that the conclusion was always pre-determined even before the event started and players didn't have much impact. Now that its up to the players to determine who wins and how and why, let's not start another complaining about this and that thread :)
This is completely not true.
I have -personally- pooched Halaster's carefully laid plans during an HRPT before. See the history files.
I'd blame it 70% on unexpected code issues, and 30% on just being a screwup ICly ;)
Quote from: "Halaster"
.. it's a drawn-out thing that could last RL days or weeks or who knows.. months.
Make it stay like forever!
Pretty please?
I can give you pickles.
Should we have some IC rumor boards in the army camps? I think that might be a nice addition, give players with different log in times updates to what is going on. Might stir up camp life too if there is regular news to get.
Yes I know this can be done IC but people have different playtimes and may never speak about it. A rumor board would be nice and people could still search around for better details ICly.
That is a great idea.
Quote from: "SpyGuy"Should we have some IC rumor boards in the army camps? I think that might be a nice addition, give players with different log in times updates to what is going on. Might stir up camp life too if there is regular news to get.
Yes I know this can be done IC but people have different playtimes and may never speak about it. A rumor board would be nice and people could still search around for better details ICly.
Already done, they went in this morning.
*fires up the Way to squeeze all the interesting news out of friends*
Quote from: "Halaster"Quote from: "SpyGuy"Should we have some IC rumor boards in the army camps? I think that might be a nice addition, give players with different log in times updates to what is going on. Might stir up camp life too if there is regular news to get.
Yes I know this can be done IC but people have different playtimes and may never speak about it. A rumor board would be nice and people could still search around for better details ICly.
Already done, they went in this morning.
Rock on.
Hot.
QuoteI can give you pickles.
Did I just get offered up as a sacrifice?
... For a good cause.
Quote from: "spawnloser"You should post them as a reward for all of us that survived the HRPT, bloodfromstone. ;)
I concur
Quote from: "picklehead"QuoteI can give you pickles.
Did I just get offered up as a sacrifice?
Don't worry, honey, you'll be the cutest sacrificial victim, ever. :wink: I'll make it go so quickly it won't hurt... much.
GO ALLANAK!!!111!!!
The female Allanak fan dances and shakes her pompons.
p.s. Awesome idea and implementation, this might even renew a friend's interest in the MUD.
That is all.
Let's get this thread back on topic, otherwise it's lock material.
Quote from: "Halaster"Let's get this thread back on topic, otherwise it's lock material.
I really like what I've been seeing going on from the players. I haven't seen imm-side things yet, but I've never seen such a military feel of things in game than I have at one of the camps.
Right now I dislike the HRPT. City life, even within the normally most busy and popular areas, appears to be dead despite a high number of players logged in.
The HRPT is hard on city-bound characters. However, there are ways to get involved in the action even from a distance. If your character is a loyalist to his/her city--explore what you can do with that. There's undoubtedly something. If your character's not loyal at all, then I dunno--maybe make something fun happen in the taverns one night? Something to divert all the city folk from the thought of war.
Solo rp tends to bore me after max 30 minutes, heh. And I guess for the unlucky PCs who have not gotten a chance to interact with anyone at all, they might have trouble even finding out where the HRPT takes place, or finding out how to get there.
Quote from: "Gimfalisette"The HRPT is hard on city-bound characters.
My concern right now is that the HRPT is particularly hard on the most vulnerable of the player base, namely the brand new player. As I sat alone in the Gaj looking at a link dead newbie, it hit me. Where are the people to interact with them? I would suggest if you have to solo in a tavern waiting on other players, solo where newbies would pop. We still need new players.
We need to keep this up forever. Send people to the front lines from time to time, you know. Would give Warlords more reason to exist, would be cool as heck. :)
It's funny, everyone my pc has interacted with, doesn't want anything to do with the war.. kinda funny considering how kick ass it's been! Go to the front lines! Be a hero.. or.. something..
While this is a terribly OOC idea, it has it merits.
Give two new starting locations to PCs. Allanaki Frontlines and Tuluki Frontlines.
Make sure it's understood that they are high danger zones, spawn them outside the camps, and don't let them into the real camp until ... well, it needs work, but it's an idea, especially if this lasts much longer.
And God, I hope it does. I'd like to see it turn into a COld War of sorts, with stand ... anyway, whatever, rambling.
OOCly, I hope this war lasts about a month - too much longer and it'll start getting stale, but too much shorter and it'll be harder to sink your teeth in.
That opinion may or may not vary from the opinion my character has. :roll:
Well, I'm sure there are differences in the cities, but I've had no problem at all finding the usual tavern RP, minus the soldiers of course. Newbies should be able to find jobs just fine with the merchant houses as always--or if they really want to fight, just asking around in the taverns will get them hooked up with a connection to the front. No, it's not the easiest time ever to start ARMing, but from what I see it shouldn't be that much more difficult than when I was a raw newb just a month ago.
And when I said RPing in the cities--I didn't mean solo RP at all. I really don't prefer solo RP, and my RP personally has been tremendous since the start of the war with plenty of interaction. Maybe it's the style of my character though, I dunno.
Well, I had not problem to find -some- PCs around in the city during peak-times. Indeed, they do meet. But it does not mean the city is not mostly empty (speaking about PCs, not NPCs or VNPCs). There might be 30 or 40 people logged on and still nobody in taverns or streets.
I do like this HRPT style, really. It is a very cool idea. But true is, life in cities is slower and often more lonely than "usually". Nothing wrong with that, but it is a fact. You might be lucky and part of group which is not interested to be involved. Or you might be unlucky and know everyone around you is "there" while you cannot go. That indeed does not mean you cannot have fun.
I actually think that starting locations for the army camps might not be such a bad idea, but having never been to them, I'm not sure they'd be able to support new players... could they?
Its a bad idea unless they get some boost to their skills (Ridding esspecially)...
Its a very interesting event...and its not easy at all to pull...its very risking and i completely believe Halabaster when he says he doesn't really know what will happen exactly...its alot of fun though...esspecially for those that have quite a bit of time already invested in their PC...it really feels like a chess game...one wrong move and either side could lose (PC wise at least).
Quote from: "ale six"I actually think that starting locations for the army camps might not be such a bad idea, but having never been to them, I'm not sure they'd be able to support new players... could they?
There's no shops or any way to get things that you didn't bring from the city unless you get hand-me-downs, and you're confined to 2-3 rooms for most of the time. I think that starting in the camp is close to impossible, but as far as I know, groups come back to the city regularly to pick up new people, so simply starting in the city and waiting for the pick-up crew would be a much better solution. That's just one of the camps, of course, I haven't seen both, but I assume it's no different.
Also, for a new player's first character, it would probably give the wrong impression of the game, and there's really not a whole lot to do in the camp itself if there's not a commander-type person around. Think of it as a small Red Storm without shops or taverns.
Maybe something could be added to the MOTD to let the new players know there is a war going on?
Quote from: "Morfeus"Well, I had not problem to find -some- PCs around in the city during peak-times.
Not everyone can play peak times, I have a very hard time finding anyone at all even with 35 players logged in at low-peak (euro evenings).
It is especially hard for city based characters who cant make a living on their own without PC interaction, if I still cant find any PCs to get hired by within this week or so I'll probably just stay offline until the HRPT is over.
Maybe it would be possible to implement NPC caravans who take PCs to the camps, and maybe back to the city as well, at specific times? It can be extremely hard to even find a PC who could lead the way.
Just to make a short note: I am European player too. I know it is not easy. :)
QuoteMaybe it would be possible to implement NPC caravans who take PCs to the camps, and maybe back to the city as well, at specific times? It can be extremely hard to even find a PC who could lead the way.
If you're having trouble getting someone to fetch you, I would recommend this: ask the imms. I can't promise that it'll work, but I think that they'd be glad to help you, either by animating a wagon team or simply arranging it with one of the PCs responsible for fetching people. I know at least one Templar plays hours that a european player can match. Unless you're from the other city-state, in which case I don't know, but try ask the imms, I'm pretty sure they work closely with Templars and that it's in their best interest to help people like you.
Personally, this hrpt style is really stressful. I'd love to play some sort of mindless half-giant or generic commoner for this type of hrpt rather than a leader.
yeah, but the rest of us get such a kick out of watching you guys screw up or succeed. Really.
I see this as a prime time to leap ranks.
To chime in: from what I've seen, the players have really stepped up. The "HRPT" has been extremely entertaining and gratifying in the snatches I've been able to witness and participate in.
To the leaders - making mistakes is fine, that's part of what life brings; don't agonize terribly. Keeping the ball rolling, fresh initiative .. that will be lasting.
Double true to Lazloth.
Mad props to Halaster and the others who came up with this. And especially the players. You know who you are.
I've seen more plot in TWO NIGHTS with this than I have in -months- otherwise.
Quote from: "davien"Double true to Lazloth.
Mad props to Halaster and the others who came up with this. And especially the players. You know who you are.
I've seen more plot in TWO NIGHTS with this than I have in -months- otherwise.
I know I already posted something like this at the beginning, but...
WOW!
I heartily concur. It's been a while since Arm has kept me up this late. :wink:
Quote from: "Lonely Kank"Right now I dislike the HRPT. City life, even within the normally most busy and popular areas, appears to be dead despite a high number of players logged in.
Yes... If I had a different PC, or a few more options, I probably wouldn't feel this way. But as it stands now.. I'm wishing the HRPT would end.. Or at least subside for a bit. Things get quiet, survivors return to the cities for a while. And at the same time, those leaders can 'build up' new forces, train them, form new stratigies, etc. Then have another HRPT tidalwave for all those who're currently eating this stuff up.
As for myself.. :cry: The city can be a very lonely place these days.
It's amazing, really.
The moment we have something, we wish for something else.
Why is that, I wonder?
Quote from: "moab"It's amazing, really.
The moment we have something, we wish for something else.
Why is that, I wonder?
I doubt all players 'have' the HRPT. I'm sure there are a number who cannot participate in it for IC or whatever reasons, and they wish they could just get the non-HRPT interaction they used to have back. Still, this is a very cool event for the majority of the playerbase, and while I dont think it should stay the way it is now for a very long time... mad props to Halaster and everyone else for the implementation.
I was referring to the game in general.
Instead of being wrapped up in what we don't have - we should simply offer kudos and then be thankful for what we do.
It was just a thought.
Quote from: "moab"It's amazing, really.
The moment we have something, we wish for something else.
Why is that, I wonder?
Because it's not good for everybody. As you may or may not have noticed, the vast majority praise the HRPT, while some people have seen only the negative effects: no people to RP with because they can't be where the action is. You can't expect everybody to instantly love something that only some people get to see anything of, and I personally dislike the extremely negative response people give to anyone who are not thrilled about the HRPT. And you might also have noticed that most of the people who weren't particularly impressed by the HRPT have said that the idea is great, they're just stating that there's another side of the coin, not saying "down with the HRPT!".
I'm surprised at how offensive people are towards the few among us who dare to say that they haven't enjoyed the HRPT much. Even staff response.
A very small portion of the players have, mostly in polite and reasonable ways, mentioned that they didn't like some things about the HRPT, and most people give them an answer along the lines of "WE DID THIS FOR YOU AND ALL Y'ALL SHOW IS UNGRATEFULNESS!" as if they had been served exactly what they asked for on a silver platter and had turned their noses in disgust.
Please don't turn the general atmosphere into one of forced gratitude and harshness towards people who don't agree with the majority. The fact is that some people have only seen bad sides of this HRPT, and don't deny them the right to mention it.
I have to agree with Hymwen's most recent statement.
Yeah, the HRPT is hella cool...but in a grand sense. It's not hella cool for every individual, as not every individual can be involved. Those individuals that can't be involved and thus are distinctly NOT enjoying the HRPT events have just as much right to say so as those that are inolved and are loving it. Stop being the thought police for real life. Everyone has their own opinion. Noone is saying the HRPT shouldn't happen. They're saying it sucks to be them while it is.
I just get sick of people b*tchin' all the time.
All the time.
Really annoying.
We all like the game at times, hate it at others.
Do we need to post that we hate it at these times? What is the point of that other than venting?
It has to be difficult to work as staff (a demanding job) and hear complaints about this stuff. They are trying something - today not your cuppa tea. Tomorrow - maybe. So tomorrow you won't b*tch but the memory and effect of your previous b*tch will remain.
The HRPT started how many days ago? And how many people who can't be involved in it ICly, even know what prompted it? One of the staff members posted some IC info that everyone -should- know here so I'll reiterate:
We all know something is going on between north and south, outside either town. We all know that.
But something has always been going on between north and south, according to the documented histories of the game. So what makes this "something" different? And why are people who ICly have no involvement in it, why don't they have any idea what's so different about this? Why do they think it's more than just a skirmish? Did the southern templar kidnap and publically execute a dozen high templars of the north? Did the northern templarate send their minions out to destroy every southerner that crossed the boundary into their territory, all of a sudden?
Wouldn't most just normal commoners who live in the city have SOME clue as to what prompted this war? With all the appropriate spin, propaganda, etc..but something at least?
This is why I feel so left out. My character is utterly clueless and no one she's spoken to has any answers, or if they do, they're not talking. It makes no sense for her to be clueless. I mean, north and south aren't just experiencing the usual hostilities afterall. They're at WAR. Big deal world war 7 kinda war, from what the rumors and IMM notes on the GDB imply. One would think it would be common knowledge what prompted this war, that is more significant than daily physical insults flung back and forth between city states. I imagine new players just getting started in the game would have an even tougher time of it. And at this point, I imagine if my character tried asking again, she'd be met with stares like "You don't know? What rock have you been living under?" And that kind of response wouldn't make too much IC sense either. This is the kind of information that anyone living in one of the city states would know, even if they have no involvement at all in the situation itself.
There's plenty of things I can do ICly to keep myself entertained and occupied, so I have no complaint about that at all. Anyone can come up with things to enjoy the game while most of its player base is somewhere else, doing something else. But just because I personally don't know any of the characters doing that thing they're all doing, doesn't mean my character doesn't know, virtually, some third cousin, or next door neighbor from back home, or some other virtual entity, who's out there being involved. I think everyone would know someone out there, directly or indirectly. And everyone would have heard by now, some kind of explaination as to what prompted the activities.
L. Stanson
Quote from: "Lizzie"But something has always been going on between north and south, according to the documented histories of the game. So what makes this "something" different?
On the 5th day of the Ascending Sun, Year 27 of the 21st Age:
In the months leading up to this day, rumors began to circulate of a Tuluki army on the loose somewhere in the east or south. Nothing was ever confirmed by anyone until this day, when an Allanaki army over two thousand strong assembled at the city-state's eastern gate and marched into the desert, heading east across the Salt Flats. Witnesses claim that a blue-robed templar was heard saying that Tuluk planned in invasion of Allanak and they were going to meet the Tuluki army in the desert to stop it. Citizens of Tuluk seem to know even less, however no one could miss a similarly-sized army of His Gloriousness' legions heading south from the city.
Two massive armies marching out of their respective cities is
way more than the usual hostitilies.
I also know that there a few rumors posted in 'nak about what's going on, though I couldn't say the same about the Tuluk boards.
For those who cannot be where the action is because of IC reasons --
My personal experience with this is that the staff has been very helpful in allowing reasons to join the camps. Also, there has been more interaction periodically with other areas as a result of IC problems created by the current situation as of late.
If you are really stranded away from the action, why not talk with your imm and see if there's a better way to be involved?
With so many forces drawn away from the citystates (and into the desert), I can only imagine that the opportunities for mischief are ripe for the taking if the elements are willing.
Perhaps there should be more lawless areas introduced into the cities as the troops are thinned and sent to the front lines?
Oh yes, I know we all know what's happening. That's not my concern. My concern is that a lot of people seem to not know why it's happening. I mean, why this IC month, rather than an IC year ago? What caused those two armies to decide to head out of their cities, that day? An example:
Northerners might have learned by now, that a southern templar has been systematically killing northern nobles, and buying up all the spice to destroy it, leaving Tuluk with sparse spice resources at inflated prices, and no one who can afford to buy it because the nobles are all being killed. So the north, after months of deliberation, decided to gather its troops and set out to stop the insanity and restore order and artistic endeavors to their beloved home.
Southerners might have learned by now, that the northern independent hunters have ALL been secretly hired by the northern templarate to spy on the south and exterminate all gemmed magickers who've dared to leave the city. The southern templarate will not stand for this, and after a year of exploring the situation and attempting to rectify it peacefully, learned that the opposition will respond only to violence. And so, they sent their troops out to destroy the north once again.
See, now there's some story. Some beginning. It's like, we've been reading a novel, and discovered the first five chapters are missing. I believe everyone should at least have a summary of those first five chapters. Does that explain better?
L. Stanson
Quote from: "Lizzie"I believe everyone should at least have a summary of those first five chapters. Does that explain better?
Do you confuse Zalanthan city-life with an existence
not subject to censorial power over the people? When did the will of the God-Kings and their underlings become table talk .. and not be ground in pure speculation?
Granted, more "concerned commoners," rumors and a reflection of the state of affairs would be nifty in the cities - but don't forget, there was (afaik) no "timeline" set on this HRPT. If this drags on, I'm sure areas will be affected.
Reasons tend to stay within the circles of power. In this case, it could be that the circle of power doesn't extend beyond, say, black robed templars. Information has always been power in Armageddon. The true reasons for lots of things are often hidden to an extent that if one is not a truly lucky individual in the right position and in the right time at the right place, one would never, ever know what the true reason was. And that is one of the coolest things about the game. So no, it plainly states that most commoners are clueless. If you want reasons, you are going to have to start searching in the realms of powers (templars, nobles) who might know. And even they might not know the true reason.
For those concerned about the lack of interaction in the cities, I think its a valid concern. However, it should be a concern tempered with the realization that the HRPT will most likely be of limited nature. One or two RL months of lower interaction will be offset by all the plots, stories and everything else this HRPT continues to generate, in the cities, when it is over. Things like war heroes and people who have actually seen battles, and led armies. Of course, I was fine with low interaction when the game would have low periods of 1 or 2 other people on at all, so I doubt you are in the same boat in the cities as we were eight or nine years ago.
Quote from: "moab"I just get sick of people b*tchin' all the time.
All the time.
...
So tomorrow you won't b*tch but the memory and effect of your previous b*tch will remain.
I do agree. Sarcasm brackets notwithstanding.
Moi's an European player too, for various ic and ooc reasons , sadly can't be involved in the HRPT directly, but the impacts it left on the day to day rp is still welcome and fun. Not to mention all the deaths to keep track of.
It certainly cast a long shadow, but I imagine it might still have left out a precious few players. Not staffs' fault, not the players' fault. Just unfortunate. It certainly isn't there to dampen anyone's spirits, personally, I see them as reminders that don't get too wrapped up and forget them.
If everyone's understanding, then it isn't much negative effects at all, and see it as room for improvement.
Agree with Lizzie, despite the various rumours and such, we aren't exactly told about why the war happened, only that Allanak felt threatened, Tuluk felt threatened, and boom. Perhaps it is something ic that happened before and passed us newer players, if that's the case, would be fun for us if the knowledge would spread down again. If it is something secret commoners shouldn't know about, some lies will be fine too. ^_^ Much thanks.
Actually, I'm fairly certain I know what prompted the war. I'm not going to say, though. There are plenty of people that probably know even better than me. The thing is, they aren't going to tell every peon they see. Hell, they won't tell every Joe Soldier in the army. Information is power, and in this case, they're keeping it.
Knowing what caused an event, Lizzie, can ruin the event for you.
To moab, though...you're tired of people bitching that they can't be involved in the fun? All of those people playing this game to interact with other people and for some reason CAN'T be involved in the HRPT have to suffer in silence, huh? Well, they have every right to tell you to stop bitching about them bitching, because some people are tired of being dissappointed that they can't be part of something, saying so, and then being told to sit down and shut up. I think if they have to, you should to.
My last character was reasonably long lived I guess, and she didn't have any reason to be in the HRPT I still had lots of fun. I found something to do and it was really enjoyable.
My current character - no involvement in the HRPT. Still havin' fun.
The last character was in the same boat as Lizzie I suppose, but I don't think people would know anymore that what Halaster has specified. That's why he specified it. If you are a commoner in the city, you -would- be wondering just like everyone else what's going on, if this is the typical clashes or something bigger. I suppose no one will even know that for sure until it is done. If you had a friend that went to the war speak with them, see what's going on. If you didn't - well then you didn't. If you want to find out so bad, sneak to the encampment. Risk your life to find out. And hey - if you die make a character to play in the HRPT if you think that would be more enjoyable or make something else more enjoyable. The game is about fun. Unfortunately for some they are not involved in a large scale event consuming most of the player base. Do what is most fun (within character/reason of course.) If your want to play your current character, outweighs your feelings of boredom and wishes to be involved else where then keep your current character, deal with it make the best of it.
Not much else anyone can do. The IMMs can't start going to the city to try and make happy fun times there because people are bored. It's a war and that's just how it is. This new form of play is more more realistic anyway.
The info is there..and the story has been building up for a while... just don't expect the 'commoners' to know anything at all...The powers to be do not have to explain themselves to anyone for any reason really...only those with influence, potition and those who are 'useful' know exactly what is going on...and there if you think about it there is probably a damn good reason to keep your mouth shut**cough spies**...unfortunately the bar flies will most likely know very little.
I do not recomend off peak time players go to the front lines esspecially if you looking for 'action' there is still RP but the most exciting stuff happens prime time of course...freedom is somewhat limited too. If you still want to come though wish up for an imm to animate a Templar and have the templar send a request to the camp, i am sure there are players at the camp willing to pick others up...I also recomend know how to ride at least...owning your own mount is a plus.
Also there are alot of opportunities to help that aren't nessasarily in the front lines...there are alot of opportunites to make sid...and alot of the action doesn't completely take place in the front lines, getting in touch with templars is always a good start about how you can start getting involed one way or another...you don't have to be a warrior...i can see a merchant being very useful in other ways aswell...just use your imagination...be creative and come up with something...war requires people of all kinda just not fighters.
I think it would be nice for the European players to have their own OOC forum, just so that they could start organizing things for themselves, see who plays around their own time, etc..
Maybe I wasn't clear, or maybe some of you aren't reading it right. But mostly my concern is that commoners would have been told -something- other than "We're at war and you can help by doing blah blah blah." We would've been given propaganda, or outright lies, or spin, or maybe even the truth if it serves the city we're in to tell the truth. But no matter what we're told, we'd be told -something.-
Something to make us think we're being asked to help out because of something significant that would cause the city government to go crazy with sudden recruitment. Something other than "the other side is attacking so we have to defend ourselves." The other side, virtually, is -always- attacking. It's in the docs, there are -always- skirmishes and hostilities. That's why there are *soldiers* at the gates, instead of hired archers to pick off random monsters that get too close. That's why the militias are trained for outside patrols, rather than generic hunters with no military-based strategies. What makes this time different, that would inspire more than the usual to answer the call of the city's government, that the government is so eager and emphatic on delivering?
Give us a lie if you want. Spin a story. Feed us propaganda. Or tell us the truth. It doesn't matter what you tell us, as long as you tell us something so ICly we can decide to a) stay far away and keep our noses out of things that are military things b) get curious enough to check it out for ourselves, c) run in screaming the glory of our city, d) sneak over to the other side and give them info to help them win.
Right now, no one's given any IC reason why any of us should do any of these things. And so it looks to me, that the only people who are doing any of these things purposely, are people who are "in the know" and everyone else is berated, ICly, for sitting around wondering why everyone's berating them.
Again, it doesn't matter that we're not told the truth about what's going on and why. It only matters that we're told something, so we can respond to it ICly as is appropriate for our characters to respond.
L. Stanson
Quote from: "Lizzie"Maybe I wasn't clear, or maybe some of you aren't reading it right. But mostly my concern is that commoners would have been told -something- other than "We're at war and you can help by doing blah blah blah." We would've been given propaganda, or outright lies, or spin, or maybe even the truth if it serves the city we're in to tell the truth. But no matter what we're told, we'd be told -something.-
You have been told -something- you've been told something on the Staff Announcements and the IG boards. It may be alot but you have been told something. In Zalanthas commoners have very little rights. What commoners know is of little importance to those that are leading. Basically they want to keep moral up and are going to most likely say, there is a conflict going on we are winning. Don't expect CNN coverage on updates from the frontlines. Don't mean to be harsh or scarcastic or whatever. But you have been told something, may not be as much as you want to hear or what you want to hear but if you just check the staff announcements and IG boards, you will see news on the battle. And that is the something that you know.
I think what we are trying to say is that, no, this wouldn't actually happen. There is no "support" needed from the populace for something like this, so no understanding or story is required. If a templar is standing next to you recruiting or whatever, you'd better either a) instantly become patriotic b) have a good story on why you can't go or c) have a good bribe ready. The cities are just those kinds of places.
Quote from: "Lizzie"Maybe I wasn't clear, or maybe some of you aren't reading it right. But mostly my concern is that commoners would have been told -something- other than "We're at war and you can help by doing blah blah blah." We would've been given propaganda, or outright lies, or spin, or maybe even the truth if it serves the city we're in to tell the truth. But no matter what we're told, we'd be told -something.-
I have to agree with Lizzie here. It's not about knowing everything that is going on. It's not about even knowing the truth. It about the spin that is given the people. This is a strange war as there is none of that.
There are less than a handful of posts, most if not all of them simply talk about ways to join the conflict or talk about xxx won a battle. There should be some motivations to work -city based- plots around that concern the war. There are characters in which it makes no IC sense to visit a front line. Propaganda is a good thing, it builds plots that can be worked on. I think a lot of people look at what is going on with city characters with the prism of their own experience. Remember many of us have no clue as to what is going on, no information flowing in other than what is publicly posted, and no players to learn anything from.
Quote from: "moob"I just get sick of people b*tchin' all the time.
All the time.
There is a -huge- difference between bitching and providing feedback. As this is a new style of HRPT things will be different, some better some worse. Don't you think the game is better served by allowing an open discussion about things that could use improvement? The thing that gets tiring is not people examining holes in the system, but rather people using the "suck it up, and deal with it" approach.
In the end, I highly support this style of HRPT, very much so. But I also would like to see the holes addressed.
In response to Lizzie:
I'm OOCly frustrated that I don't know more about the HRPT, just because I think it's interesting. Oh well.
My character is not ICly frustrated, because she's a loyalist. Loyalists don't need extra reasons to hate The Other City; they already do hate it and want to attack/kill it because of All The Bad Things They've Ever Done To Us. The propaganda has already been done over the many years of the character's life, more propaganda would just be icing on the cake. And characters that know anyone who's died in the war have even more reason now to hate Those Other Guys.
Non-loyalists really shouldn't care very much about why the cities are at war. Maybe they'd be mildly curious. Mostly what I see from non-loyalist characters is "wish they'd get it over with" and "how can I exploit this situation to my benefit."
So I don't agree that the powers above would necessarily think it was important to trickle info down to the common classes.
Also, depending on which city your character is in, I think you may or may not see a particular kind of propaganda happening. In Allanak, brute force is the only propaganda thought necessary. Tuluk has a different way, and if a character is in Tuluk, he/she will certainly see the propaganda in action. (There is, after all, a whole group of commoners in Tuluk that can be said to be the living embodiment of a propaganda machine.) But propaganda is not the same as actual information.
Quote from: "amoeba"I have to agree with Lizzie here. It's not about knowing everything that is going on. It's not about even knowing the truth. It about the spin that is given the people. This is a strange war as there is none of that.
All I can say is, y'all must be playing in Allanak. Spin thrives in Tuluk.
Quote from: "Gimfalisette"Quote from: "amoeba"I have to agree with Lizzie here. It's not about knowing everything that is going on. It's not about even knowing the truth. It about the spin that is given the people. This is a strange war as there is none of that.
All I can say is, y'all must be playing in Allanak. Spin thrives in Tuluk.
Yes.
I must say I disagree somewhat with the following points, mostly for practical reasons:
Quote from: "Gimfalisette"My character is not ICly frustrated, because she's a loyalist. Loyalists don't need extra reasons to hate The Other City; they already do hate it and want to attack/kill it because of All The Bad Things They've Ever Done To Us. The propaganda has already been done over the many years of the character's life, more propaganda would just be icing on the cake. And characters that know anyone who's died in the war have even more reason now to hate Those Other Guys.
Non-loyalists really shouldn't care very much about why the cities are at war. Maybe they'd be mildly curious. Mostly what I see from non-loyalist characters is "wish they'd get it over with" and "how can I exploit this situation to my benefit."
So I don't agree that the powers above would necessarily think it was important to trickle info down to the common classes.
The practical problem here is "what bad things?" Give me something I can chew on. The nature of the game and permadeath in general is that "history" gets blurred into non specifics. What helps to create create life changing motivations are specifics,
things that hit close to home. We should hear tales about atrocities perpetrated by the other side, tales of roaring victories on our side. These should be active rumors, grist of the day. I don't know, maybe I'm just viewing this from a veil of ignorance, maybe I am not. I came into this character right before the war started, my last long lived one being a desert based one. so I have not seen any of the buildup.
And yes, it is important that "information" even if it is a complete fabrication 'trickle down to the common classes". Morale can be the deciding factor in a war, to ignore it, is to invite defeat.
Quote from: "amoeba"The practical problem here is "what bad things?" Give me something I can chew on. The nature of the game and permadeath in general is that "history" gets blurred into non specifics. What helps to create create life changing motivations are specifics, things that hit close to home. We should hear tales about atrocities perpetrated by the other side, tales of roaring victories on our side. These should be active rumors, grist of the day. I don't know, maybe I'm just viewing this from a veil of ignorance, maybe I am not. I came into this character right before the war started, my last long lived one being a desert based one. so I have not seen any of the buildup.
Like I said, I think this is a problem particular to Allanak. Occupation is only fifty years in the past in Tuluk, and there are plenty of NPCs around who experienced that personally. There is a whole group of commoners in Tuluk devoted to keeping a connection with history and who have good reasons to hate Allanak, and that same group of commoners is hard at work putting out propaganda. I came into my character right before the war started as well, however, I think the difference in location is everything. There is no reason for anyone in Allanak to put spin on anything or to trickle down information, because fear is what keeps the populace in line. In Tuluk the spin is part of the culture, and I guarantee you that it's happening there. In that aspect, for this HRPT, it especially sucks to be in Allanak. But--the cities are different in these ways on purpose, so that they will feel very different to play in.
Edited to add: My character now has good personal reasons to hate Allanak too, with friends dying on the battlefield. Surely that's a reason that any character could use now to hate the other side, unless they just didn't know anyone who went to war.
So, ahh, why don't you stop posting about it and be the change you want?
Damn, so much complaining. It's choking my aural arteries.
What do you mean, amoeba?
To Tulukis, Bad Stuff: They came about a generation ago to enslave our entire populace, and only after much struggle and hardship, we succesfully took back our home.
To Allanakis, Bad Stuff: They killed our friends and family that were rightfully there defending the Highlord's domain.
Seriously, everyone in both cities are told from a young age that the people from the other city are barbarians and would kill you if they could get away with it. What other reason do you need to kill them first?
For everyone in the cities...it's not exactely...always active out on the field either. There is -alot- of waiting, but I still feel your frustration. Now is the time to show off and make the best of things with your inanimate surroundings.
And, it's been said I think, but it will be alot more interesting when forces return to the cities.
But, until then, all I can say is hang tight.
By the way, the Imms are doing a great job with the HRPT so far, on all levels, and have been very helpful. :wink:
Quote from: "spawnloser"What do you mean, amoeba?
To Tulukis, Bad Stuff: They came about a generation ago to enslave our entire populace, and only after much struggle and hardship, we successfully took back our home.
To Allanakis, Bad Stuff: They killed our friends and family that were rightfully there defending the Highlord's domain.
Seriously, everyone in both cities are told from a young age that the people from the other city are barbarians and would kill you if they could get away with it. What other reason do you need to kill them first?
Okay first off ....this is NOT complaining... This is a -discussion- concerning a -differing- viewpoint. I have stated numerous times that I think the HRPT style is good. I am for it. I hope I have made that point clear -yet- again. If you don't want to read it, then by all means don't.
Here is a clarification. I could easily come up with any number of generic "Bad Stuff", however, IMHO it feels contrived. Yes all citizens are bread to believe the other side is bad. I don't dispute that. What I am trying to state as succinctly as possible is that at least from a nobody in the 'Nak side is that there is no sense of anything much has changed, no sense of immediacy. This may be perfectly fine and the way things should be.. maybe. If it is not, and there should be a feeling of a serious and -unusual- conflict going on, then it falls short from this commoners perspective. It all seems very distant.
Remember, much of the focus here was to build up Tuluk as a unique and interesting place. Remember all the "I hate Tuluk" threads? So it stands to reason that more will be happening in Tuluk. Sadly Allanak at the moment, and I am sure this is a passing phase, feels like the Tuluk of old. For each action, unintended consequences happen, the gutting of the 'nak player base is one of them.
Now, if people could stop acting like this discussion is about raining on your parade, the questions I have is how to make life interesting for those that by necessity are left behind? This would include brand new newbies who would have little to no clue as to how to get involved. All they see is an empty (of PC's) city. I like one idea presented about having a blurb in the MOTD directed towards the war. I also might suggest that in the welcome email to first time newbies a blurb explaining that much of the PC population is at the front-lines would help.
Ideas should always be welcome, like the suggestion of increasing the level of propaganda.
Oh amoeba I think that's a grand idea, the blurb for new players thing for character apps. Something like:
Congratulations, your character has been approved! Please check (insert url here) to see what your character would know in Tuluk, and (insert url here) to see what your character would know in Allanak. And no matter which city your character shows up in, he would know there's a war going on, and much of its citenzry has taken the call to arms and is currently outside the city, defending their territory from the opposition. Check these posts on our General Discussion Board (the GDB, insert url here) to see discussion about the war, and for IMM-generated news that your character would know.
OOC, please note that a lot of the player base is currently outside both cities, even during peak time. The HRPT is an ongoing series of events that may or may not last another week or longer, depending on how players and their characters react to all the stuff that's going on.
Welcome to Armageddon!
I think that's a bit...too much.
I'd rather that the acceptance email simply encourage people to check the GDB Staff Announcements as well as the MOTD for recent events both codewise and storywise.
Play in Luir. Hate/Love both sides equally.
Oh, Allanak... home sweet home...
This is, of course, purely my opinion, but, I agree that the average commoner who lives underneath the thumb of the highlord's minions and his inbred distant cousins would have very little reason for thinking to himself, "Oi! They're attacking my city! That's so not cool! I should do something about this!" and then running to the nearest soldier to tell him, "'allo, 'ow can I 'elp, sirrah?"
In fact, the average commoner would be more likely to spend his time praying like a madman that the templars and their whips don't come down his street next and put him on the front lines of battle. There would likely be many people who had friends, relatives, or acquaintances who were on the front lines by choice, necessity, or force. And there has been player driven IC spin to address this commoner view.
Now, Joe commoner who has abilities that could elevate his status - living under the heavy thumb of the Highlord is a life of toil and low reward - might have something to prove and decide to use the effort as a means to grab a new degree of personal power. Who cares why they're doing it? Templars and Nobles of the city do crazy things all the time. You either duck and cover or get sucked in. If the latter, you play hard or you die. Kind of like being thrown in the arena.
Jane commoner who asks too many questions and has a rebellious heart might see the effort and ask why, then make it her personal task to find out IC, making herself indisposable to people who matter, then overhearing the right conversations along the way. Or, she may decide that it's just another clever ruse dictated by the Law of the citystate, and decide her position should be on the other side of this.
I appreciate wholly what you're saying, but I personally think it is more interesting to see what 200 players can come up with as far as rumors, quackery, propaganda, and reaction to this. There is so much that you can do as an individual to push this in game instead of waiting for and demanding a cue from the staff.
I imagine Tuluki bards full-working on propaganda and such things. At least, that is what I think they do right now. I might be wrong, indeed.
Quote from: "davien"I appreciate wholly what you're saying, but I personally think it is more interesting to see what 200 players can come up with as far as rumors, quackery, propaganda, and reaction to this. There is so much that you can do as an individual to push this in game instead of waiting for and demanding a cue from the staff.
Isn't it funny how people read into things stuff never stated. I don't think it is being asked for by the staff. At least I know I am not. I am asking the -players- to generate this. Involve yourself in your city of choice. Take leave, go home, spread some stories, then go back to the front lines. As one of those who knows nada, I'm not in this group.
I didn't read anything into it that isn't there. I am agreeing with it. =p
The conflict between Allanak and Tuluk has been going on for Ages, but it isn't always an open war, with armies battling around. Yes, the history is full of talk of battles, but the battles usually tend to be at least 40 IC years apart. What's left out is the in-between years of simmering conflict and "cold war", probably because they aren't as exciting history.
Open warfare between the armies of both city-states is a BIG thing. It is not at all common and not something to dismiss. The soldiers at the city gates are there to keep criminals from escaping and keep bandits/rogue mages/desert beasties out, not to defend against the next attack. In fact, I'd bet that prior to this conflict, most of the "enlisted men" in either army probably would not have fought in a major battle against the opposing city.
Would all commoners want to get involved in the war? Of course not. To many survival-concious people, being out in the middle of the desert among raptors, mekillots, rogue mages, templars, gemmers, and huge armies wanting to kill each other is probably the LAST place you would want to be. Life in the cities would still be going on as normal, albeit with fewer militia and templars in the streets. Most people's minds would be on the war, but I don't think everyone needs to get worked up into a patriotic zeal because there is a war on. Life for most Zalanthan commoners is probably so hard anyway that they don't have time to worry about which army won what battle.
I hate to throw the "Find out IC" card, but I really think it would be much more fun to try and learn the cause of the conflict than to have it explained anywhere else. Neither city really has any need to explain why they're going to war to their people, and besides the (valid) benefits of using spin to incite patriotism, they probably don't want to waste the time. On the other hand, bards, nobles, and other people could (and are, from what I see) definitely get into the PR arena and start telling the common masses to believe things.
In the end, I think the HRPT is a classic example of never being able to please everybody at once. There are definitely valid concerns with the cities being emptier than usual, but all in all, they're still playable. In exchange, we get a really cool and new event, which seems like it could turn out to be a major turning point in Zalanthan history. I used to see complaints on the boards that common PCs found it too hard to get involved in big plotlines and stuff. Well, here we go. This is a major plot that is right out there in the open, and has a multitude of ways for people to get involved. I'm not sure how you could arrange an event with more opportunities to bring people of wider backgrounds in than this one has. Not everybody is going to be able to be involved all the time, but at least we all know something is going on.
I'm totally supportive of this brand of HRPT/RPT even though I'm not directly able to participate.
It'd be orgasmic and totally believable if they sprung up in different locations to allow new groups to participate and react to the raging battles betwixt two huge forces.
Personally, of all the groups starved for attention I find it an 'about time' sort of thing for all those military PC's to have something more engaging than a one-shot adventure to do or to stand around their merchant/noble chewing their spit.
The 'dry' times between battles will always be longer than the 'wet' times of active engagements, so really.. don't sweat it folks. I'd advise planning out the lifespans of your characters for more than an RL week or two.
Hot Dancer
Hmmm, I missed HRPT because I had no computer for 2 weeks :(
It's still going on.
This would be a great chance for people to put the bio command to some good use, if you guys already haven't. Record the battles you've been in, bio the deaths you've witnessed, add entries about your fallen friends, and other interesting events that may have taken. The HRPT is a nice way to rack up on bio entries, if you do not have any.
Just a reminder
Quote from: "Yokunama"This would be a great chance for people to put the bio command to some good use, if you guys already haven't. Record the battles you've been in, bio the deaths you've witnessed, add entries about your fallen friends, and other interesting events that may have taken. The HRPT is a nice way to rack up on bio entries, if you do not have any.
Just a reminder
I can just see...
The tall, muscular man solidly slashes a unit of soldiers.
A unit of soldiers slashes the huge, furry man's head doing horrendous damage.
The huge, furry man crumples to the ground.
A unit of soldiers viciously slashes the tall, muscular man in the neck.
The tall, muscular man crumples to the ground.
write bio 5
Today, my best friends, Jim and Tim died. It was really too bad, I was just getting to know them.
A unit of soldiers slashes your head, doing frightening damage.
*beep!*
Welcome to Armageddon!Please bio your characters responsibly.
It may be still going on but it''s not as easy as you'd think to find a way in :P
Quote from: "Hot_Dancer"I'd advise planning out the lifespans of your characters for more than an RL week or two.
Unless, of course, you're in the HRPT...
So how are the rest of my fellow city-bound characters doing now with the HRPT? I just got thrown into some new fun stuff related to the war last night and I'm looking forward to what may happen. How about y'all?
It doesn't really feel like a war to my PC, more like a permanent skirmish somewhere in the middle of nowhere.. I kind of abandoned the idea and stick to my own rp, I know for a fact that where I play it's extremely hard to come in contact with it if you want to join up, or serve in some ways. But I'm not going to complain, I found a place where there's still a lot of players left, and I'm having the most fun I've had in a long time, but it's not war-related :)
Y'know, just causing a crimewave while all those pesky templars are busy.
I think it is a great idea that has been handled really well. I've gotten to see a lot of interesting things and a lot of PCs in scenarios a lot more interesting than the bar.
As an offpeaker, however, I often feel like I'm engaged in vwar, rather than an active one. I know nothing major can happen while all of the officers are asleep, and I also know that a lot of when/what happens is largely dependant on players. However, it would be nice to see some offpeak Imms in charge of throwing out a few mini-encounters. Then again, this may already be happening, and I've just been unfortunate enough to miss it. It seemed to be the case, early on, so I may just be managing to dodge events with my inconsistant playing times. :)
I am actually feeling that the event is a bit rigid at the moment. I won't go into too much detail, but it feels like the actions of the player-characters are being somewhat glossed over, or that one side is being given more behind-the-scenes VNPC support to prevent the event from coming to an anticlimactic halt. Then again, I can only see the actions of one set of PCs so I may be wrong!
Quote from: "Gimfalisette"So how are the rest of my fellow city-bound characters doing now with the HRPT? I just got thrown into some new fun stuff related to the war last night and I'm looking forward to what may happen. How about y'all?
Other than the posts on the tavern boards and Halaster's notes on the GDB, my character is uninvolved. It makes sense to some extent, given the IC relationship between my PC and the rest of the game. But it would be fun to hear news from other PCs instead of relying on posts to learn about what's going on. I think my character might care more, if she spoke personally with people who had some kind of direct involvement with it all. For now though she doesn't care, because she's so far removed from the situation she isn't being given any reason to care. As a player it's frustrating. As a PC, my gal's fine with it :)
L. Stanson
Lizzie speaks the truth. I would go to the HRPT but I can't find anybody to speak to about it :cry:
If you wish up the imms are generally courteous enough to animate an NPC member of a city's military in order for you to volunteer / find out how to get involved / etc. Just be patient, someone is not always around to fill the request.
And also there are often character names on the rumor board. You can always contact a character that's mentioned and inquire about the news, or what you can do to get involved, etc. Really really.
Not only is that 100% on point, but I would like to encourage other PCs who are involved to get themselves on city rumour boards when appropriate. If your PC visits on leave, a simple "Rumours spread the sergeant so-and-so, recently passing through on leave, was involved in (war news here). etc., etc." Finding some excuse to include a few PC names is not particularly jarring and is a courtesy to other players who might want to get involved. The PCs mentioned on the boards last week, or the week before, or whatever, probably won't be alive forever!
So Halaster (and other Imms),
How do you think this experiment is going? Concept needs work, or are you already planning the next war? :)
Quote from: "Marauder Moe"So Halaster (and other Imms),
How do you think this experiment is going? Concept needs work, or are you already planning the next war? :)
We'll start a thread when it's over.
Quote from: "jstorrie"Not only is that 100% on point, but I would like to encourage other PCs who are involved to get themselves on city rumour boards when appropriate. If your PC visits on leave, a simple "Rumours spread the sergeant so-and-so, recently passing through on leave, was involved in (war news here). etc., etc." Finding some excuse to include a few PC names is not particularly jarring and is a courtesy to other players who might want to get involved. The PCs mentioned on the boards last week, or the week before, or whatever, probably won't be alive forever!
Since there is already an ooc rumor-board (staff announcements), I think it would be much greater if such news from PCs were between PCs personally, as I think people have mentioned already. My current character is pretty far removed, so I wouldn't know how things really are going. *sigh*