D-elves galore! spin off

Started by spicemustflow, July 23, 2008, 12:01:18 PM

Right, since I don't want to derail the aforementioned thread from the discussion about how awesome the Soh are (not that they aren't), I started a new one called "Recommend me a tribe".

I played in SLK and Red Fangs, and led short and unproductive lives, so I'm curious about other available tribes (not exclusively). I don't want to be the only PC member is one of the conditions. I don't really have any other.

The ATV have rich history. I suggest looking into them.

Are you interested solely in d.elf tribes, or do human ones interest you also?

I'm in the mood for elves right now. ATV sounds interesting, but I've heard that there's hardly a player in it.

Quote from: spicemustflow on July 23, 2008, 12:23:12 PM
I'm in the mood for elves right now. ATV sounds interesting, but I've heard that there's hardly a player in it.

Every tribe goes through bouts of emptiness. I suggest building it up yourself and do some recruiting. It can be a pain in the butt, yet if you work hard you'll nab some good players. Up to you though. If you want instant gratification but don't want Soh or RF, you could always try Dune Stalkers or Sun Runners.

Quote from: Forest Junkie on July 23, 2008, 12:25:15 PM
Every tribe goes through bouts of emptiness. I suggest building it up yourself and do some recruiting.

Could be fun, I was hoping to do that with Haruch Kemad but alas, closed.

Quote from: Forest Junkie on July 23, 2008, 12:25:15 PM
If you want instant gratification but don't want Soh or RF, you could always try Dune Stalkers or Sun Runners.

If by 'instant gratification' you mean an already established tribe with a decent playerbase, why excluse Soh? I thought they're the most popular desert elves. You're saying that DS and SR have more players? The problem in building up a tribe by yourself is that I as a relative newcomer to the world of desert necks am not very experienced in the ways of a particular tribe, and would likely need someone more experienced to get the nuances of the tribe's culture. But the reward of attracting new players could be immense...

July 23, 2008, 12:34:35 PM #6 Last Edit: July 23, 2008, 12:38:28 PM by palomar
In my experience the ATV is a great tribe. However, their culture is quite different compared even to other desert elf tribes. With or without other active tribemembers I would say that an interest in solo roleplay and the game world's natural environments are two important aspects to keep in mind to enjoy the ATV. Also, as they really don't like the cities city-bound traders are very few, meaning that you probably shouldn't pick this tribe if you want to make the occasional visit to Tuluk/Allanak.

Playing in the Akei Ta Var is difficult and different but very rewarding once/if you "get it".


Edited to add: Sun Runners were hopping a little while ago and it might still be. It's a tribe with rich history and an option if you don't feel like trying the SLK (which are also cool).

Quote from: spicemustflow on July 23, 2008, 12:33:55 PM
If by 'instant gratification' you mean an already established tribe with a decent playerbase, why excluse Soh?

I'm excluding the Soh because you created a new thread asking for advice on other tribes. I already plugged the Soh in the thread Ky started. I didn't want to hijack your thread and speak about them when there's already another thread wherein I do such.  ;)

Quote from: spicemustflowI thought they're the most popular desert elves.

Debatable, and open to one's own interpretation of how a desert elf/tribe should be played. They are not necessarily my favorite, but I've grown to enjoy their potential immensely.

Quote from: spicemustflowYou're saying that DS and SR have more players?

I sincerely doubt they do. I won't disclose numbers, but I can say that as a Soh you will likely have someone to play with throughout the day, regardless of your p.time.

Quote from: spicemustflowThe problem in building up a tribe by yourself is that I as a relative newcomer to the world of desert necks am not very experienced in the ways of a particular tribe, and would likely need someone more experienced to get the nuances of the tribe's culture. But the reward of attracting new players could be immense...

That's up to you friend. If you need guidance and support, I can help. Otherwise, there's nothing wrong with the other tribes. I do believe their playerbase is fair - in other words, even if you don't pick the Soh, you will have interaction with tribemates in either DS or SR.

Any further questions, and you can pm me.

I'll let those more knowledgeable about DS come into the discussion. I do know, however, that both them and the SR have great documentation and history, -especially- the SR.

Quote from: palomar on July 23, 2008, 12:34:35 PM
In my experience the ATV is a great tribe. However, their culture is quite different compared even to other desert elf tribes. With or without other active tribemembers I would say that an interest in solo roleplay and the game world's natural environments are two important aspects to keep in mind to enjoy the ATV. Also, as they really don't like the cities city-bound traders are very few, meaning that you probably shouldn't pick this tribe if you want to make the occasional visit to Tuluk/Allanak.

Playing in the Akei Ta Var is difficult and different but very rewarding once/if you "get it".


Edited to add: Sun Runners were hopping a little while ago and it might still be. It's a tribe with rich history and an option if you don't feel like trying the SLK (which are also cool).

Can you you explain that a bit? I heard ATV referred to as treehugers, hope they're not too preoccupied with the eco balance as that reminds me od some DnD elves... Also I'm not big with solo RP. So can you help me "get it" hat they're all about?

The Akei'ta Var have a deep and rather distinct set of beliefs that revolve around nature, yes. To call them treehuggers is oversimplifying it really. I'll try to go into this as much as possible without going IC:

The Akei view Zalanthas as a sort of living, breathing entity that grows/shrinks in direct proportion to the amount its inhabitants takes from it. They believe in balance of a sort, and seek to keep said balance from being tipped by outsiders. This too is oversimplifying the Akei to some extent. I suggest emailing staff to get a view at the docs. Reading things for yourself will give you a better understanding of what they're all about.

If you absolutely cannot stand solo RP, if it just gets under your skin if you have to do it for more then an hour, let alone a day, or a few days, I would highly suggest you do not play a desert elf. The tribal cultures have very cyclical player bases, which means if you survive you can be guaranteed extensive segments of time of solo play. You'll end up either storing, killing your character, being miserable, not playing, or doing something culturally wrong for your tribe (like hanging out in cities or wandering far stretches of the world that are not inline with a tribes territory)

One day you may find yourself more comfortable and actually getting pleasure from solo play. This is when I'd play a desert elf.

Quote from: Dakurus on July 23, 2008, 01:57:46 PM
If you absolutely cannot stand solo RP, if it just gets under your skin if you have to do it for more then an hour, let alone a day, or a few days, I would highly suggest you do not play a desert elf. The tribal cultures have very cyclical player bases, which means if you survive you can be guaranteed extensive segments of time of solo play. You'll end up either storing, killing your character, being miserable, not playing, or doing something culturally wrong for your tribe (like hanging out in cities or wandering far stretches of the world that are not inline with a tribes territory)

One day you may find yourself more comfortable and actually getting pleasure from solo play. This is when I'd play a desert elf.

On the other hand, aren't there tribes that have members that travel frequently.. whether it be for trading or raiding or whatever?

July 23, 2008, 02:42:37 PM #13 Last Edit: July 23, 2008, 02:44:53 PM by spicemustflow
SLK did have enough players to provide a decent amount of interaction, and it seemed that those players lasted for quite a while, I was hoping there some other tribe is the same. Anyway, I'll bother the imms to grant me access to the docs so I could make up my mind. It's not that solo RP makes my skin crawl, but to that for a rl week would be too much.


From what I've seen the Red Fangs, Sun Runners, and Sand Jakhals have been the most active lately. But like others have said, it's an ebb and flow.

I wish the Silt Wind were still open :(

Quote from: Forest Junkie on July 23, 2008, 01:39:33 PM
The Akei'ta Var have a deep and rather distinct set of beliefs that revolve around nature, yes. To call them treehuggers is oversimplifying it really. I'll try to go into this as much as possible without going IC:

The Akei view Zalanthas as a sort of living, breathing entity that grows/shrinks in direct proportion to the amount its inhabitants takes from it. They believe in balance of a sort, and seek to keep said balance from being tipped by outsiders. This too is oversimplifying the Akei to some extent. I suggest emailing staff to get a view at the docs. Reading things for yourself will give you a better understanding of what they're all about.

Well put, I agree with it all.

I would like to chime in and agree with Dakurus. If you hate solo-rp, d-elves might not be the best for you. The important thing to remember is that one tribe might be full of PCs one week and it might be absolutely empty next week. It's more usual than you might think, really. (Indeed, it works other way as well - one week empty tribe is full of PCs soon after.)

To give some answer too: I believe SLK and Red Fangs is little more active lately. AFAIK Sun Runners are mostly active during European peaks and I think Akei'ta Var is in low numbers PC-wise right now. But I really think it's better to pick a tribe according to what you want to play than what is a current number of PCs playing in said clan.

Quote from: Sokotra on July 23, 2008, 02:33:39 PM
On the other hand, aren't there tribes that have members that travel frequently.. whether it be for trading or raiding or whatever?

This was a question, if nobody caught that.. or I was probably just being ignored.  Heh.  

So... which tribes do the roaming and raiding or have members that do that sort of thing?  For those of us that don't like sitting around and thinking/emoting about nature or escru or when the next chat around the campfire is going to be.

Red Fangs are all over the known. Don't know about the others.

ATV could definitely use more players.
Speaking more generally, there's definitely pluses and minuses to joining a clan or tribe with few players versus one with many players.
Obviously, on the minus side, a tribe with few players means less PC-to-PC interaction.
On the plus side, if you join a tribe or clan with only two or three active players, you'll be making a bigger impact than one with ten active players. There will be more roles available, and more things for your character to do. For example, I once joined a fairly active tribe as a Vivaduan-shaman figure. I was all excited to make water and heal people and get all mystic and stuff. Except when I got in-game, I found that somebody else was playing that exact same role... and was better than my character at it, of course, because he'd been doing it for longer. Suddenly my guy became Captain Redundant the Extraneous, and I had a hard time enjoying the role.
My point is, tribal roles rock in general. You really can't go wrong.
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Quote from: Sokotra on July 23, 2008, 04:27:09 PM
So... which tribes do the roaming and raiding or have members that do that sort of thing?

That would depend on the player in question. Many of the tribes have been known to raid in the past..

Quote from: Sokotra on July 23, 2008, 04:27:09 PM
For those of us that don't like sitting around and thinking/emoting about nature or escru or when the next chat around the campfire is going to be.

Lay off.

Quote from: spicemustflowYou're saying that DS and SR have more players?

Not right now. But two three irl weeks ago... ;)

>You leap into a chasm, doing unspeakable damage to your neck and everyone following you!

Quote from: Sokotra on July 23, 2008, 04:27:09 PM
Quote from: Sokotra on July 23, 2008, 02:33:39 PM
On the other hand, aren't there tribes that have members that travel frequently.. whether it be for trading or raiding or whatever?

This was a question, if nobody caught that.. or I was probably just being ignored.  Heh.  

So... which tribes do the roaming and raiding or have members that do that sort of thing?  For those of us that don't like sitting around and thinking/emoting about nature or escru or when the next chat around the campfire is going to be.

There are no tribes whose purpose it is to roam the world willy nilly at their nature because they get bored easy or need an excuse to do whatever and go whereever they like. The tribes that have been most often played this way in the past were those without significant documentation, which allowed people to justify their random actions, or those tribes without a coded camp (basically a territory). Some of these tribes are dead, closed, and some have been given more documentation and in some cases camps. There are certain tribes who have stronger specific focus on trade with settlements, this provides a way for the tribe to prosper, and a reason for escorting said traders on visits to those pits. However it should be just that, trips. Even tribes that tend to be more nomadic in nature would be nomadic in specific cycles, much like you see in the human tribal camps. They can't just go into any other place, as that would infringe on other territorial rights, which would cause issues.
It's about your tribe, who they are, what they do, where they live and that's where the focus of play should be.