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Messages - Blackheart

#1
Blackheart Update - 2024 - Part 3

Hello!

I'm back from a much needed vacation. Certainly feeling a lot less stressed, and now some of the dust has settled around my life situation.

Keeping it brief - I'm still going to be very busy, though not as busy as I thought. But I will be preparing to move overseas within the next year or so.

What does that mean?

I still can't run the server plot I wanted - but I can still run other stuff.

I have plans - fun plans! Some plans will be for big groups (Storyteller, Beach Episode, Elf Christmas, and more) and some will be for small groups (The Muse, some personal plots I promised to run, and more).

In fact, there's a project that I've been looking forward to running - one that's actually be in the works for almost 2 years now! And as a show of good faith, I'll reveal some details about it and what the status of its development is!

It's name is... Necropolis (Working Title).

It's a plot that will feature a rather special location in Faerun that is a city-sized burial ground for the dead from a civilization that has been gone for a very long time. Many mysteries lurk within its depths... As do many enemies.

Some PCs have already received a brief experience of this place... many of whom are still around. Those that are can tell you just how dangerous it will be to unravel the riddles held within and to fulfill the quest!

The plot will be heavy elven themed,  but not elven exclusive. However, I will not take evil aligned PCs, or anyone that's not in good standing with the elves. Part of it is IC reasons, and part of it is OOC convenience given what I need the dynamic of the group at large to be like. Also, due to some environmental effects, dragon-blooded PCs (Half Dragons, Dragon Disciples, Spellscales, etc) will not be able to participate.

I'll take a few parties, and will even have a bit of help. This Necropolis is pretty big - we've already got about 40 new areas built for it, and will need another 20-30 more to call the project fully complete! It's had spurts of activity in development over the years, though what we're really waiting for is Evereska to be done, as the outcome of that plot will heavily impact the start of this one!

Faction involvement will also be taken into consideration. Some factions will be quite interested - and some may be less so, and that's totally ok! I have heard some rumblings of a lot of other projects on the horizon beyond just my own. :)

The plan is to finish up the area building after Evereska is done, and to give the server a few months of cooldown before doing something elf-related again. The best guess I can give is that this plot will start sometime at the beginning of 2025!

I've done a ton of research for it, and have some great ideas and a lot of awesome builder help - and I will put out a call for even more!

It's not quite the server plot I'd hoped to run, but I think that this will still be a memorable experience for those that are able to participate. More information will come in the future!

Thanks again to everyone who has been patient and kind to me. I look forward to doing what I can to keep DMing and providing fun for everyone!

- Blackheart
#2
Blackheart Update - 2024 - Part 2

I'll go ahead and get the bad news out of the way: due to a change at my command, I'll no longer be able to run ToaFK as a server plot.

Bad news. I know. There's no easy way to say it. This has been a change that has been a few weeks in the making, and I'd hoped that the wind would blow a different way. Unfortunately, I'm not in control of my fate at my rank. The position I'm being switched to will be far more demanding of my time, and in a way that's difficult to predict. It'll make running a server plot impossible, even if I had 3x the volunteers.

For those that did volunteer to help me, I really do appreciate it. For those that were looking forward to the plot, I'm sorry.

As long as I hold this new position (which will likely be for the next year and a half) I'll be unable to run anything that's intricate or large-scale.

I may still do something what what I had approved in the future, be it as an actual server plot (when my schedule allows) or a couple of slow-burn smaller-scale adventures that eventually build into something bigger.

I will still be running the Storyteller to its completion to the best of my ability.

Thank you for understanding. I hope to still be able to see y'all in game on a decently frequent basis.

- Blackheart
#3


Blackheart Update - 2024

Hey everyone!

I've been asked quite a few questions privately over the last few months - and each of them have been fantastic. So fantastic, in fact, that I wish to share some of the public-relevant ones and offer an explanation of what my CD plans are for 2024.

It's been a bit of a rough patch for me over the last 2ish months or so. The world got a bit crazy (which meant my work and sleep schedule got torched), I had to rewrite my novel, and I cancelled my last plot (ARTA) due to technical issues.

Understandably, this led a lot of people to ask: Am I quitting CD? Will I quit DMing?

Answer: No! Quitting CD has never even crossed my mind, nor has quitting DMing. The technical issue was simply too much of an issue to continue a plot. When I run plots with multiple groups and varied schedules, timing is so important. One group being delayed begets every other group being delayed. Things go out of order. Schedules change. Delay delay delay. People forget things. I forget things. Setups get ruined. I cut setups short. Plot quality suffers. Still crash anyway. Despair.

So, then, I've been asked: "Are you going to run plots again? Is TOAFK still on the table? If so, when?"

Answer: Yes, and yes! I will start running plots again when I'm comfortable in the technical integrity of the server. Which, I hear, has made substantial discoveries and progress thanks to the efforts of the staff members who have been working on it. TOAFK is still, at present, planned to start signups in the Fall, and then start events in Winter.

People have reached out and excited about TOAFK, which is fantastic (and for more information on this, you can find it here)! I'm always happy to receive questions and comments about it. Aside from "when and where can I sign up," I've been asked: "is there anything I can do to get ready for the plot? Is there something my character can be involved in to effect the way the plot will start?"

Answer: Yes, and yes!... but not yet. I need the server to be stable before that can happen, because just like with DoM, I'll be running prequel plots for a few groups.

In more heartwarming news, I've been asked a few times: "Do you want help running the plot?"

Answer: Unlike with DoM, yes! This time, I will be accepting the help of fellow staff members who would like to volunteer to run plots/groups. And, as per usual, I will also be enlisting the help of builders who would be willing to craft areas for plot use. I'll be putting out a signup for such efforts in Summer.

So, thank you to everyone who has reached out and been kind and supportive - and sorry to those who were negatively impacted by my cancellation of ARTA. I'll be doing my best to get back to fun plotting and excitement in the near future.

... And speaking of un plotting and excitement in the near future...

Consider this an announcement/confirmation that the Wandering Storyteller will be returning to Cormyr this Summer!

We'll be slashing swords and slinging spells amidst the greatest battles Faerun has ever seen! Learn the history of the Forgotten Realms; face off against the greatest villains (or heroes) in the multiverse; and, most importantly of all... get some sweet, sweet DM items!

I look forward to running some more fun for everyone soon! :D

- Blackheart
#4
Thank you to @anatheme and @melody for the Evereska intro today.

I know this plot has been teased a while, and I know that some people are kinda new and maybe don't know that much about it.

For those that have asked themselves "ah, is it too late to request to join?" I would tell you that you should 100% ask Melody to let you in. This will be one of those dont-want-to-miss plots. All you need is an elf/half-elf, doesn't matter the level.

Trust me, you won't regret it.
#5
Hey everyone,

With the next round of Storyteller events quickly approaching, I wanted to take a moment to give some quick tips on things that I would suggest doing before and during these events so that you and your fellow players may get the most out of them.

1. Stock up on healing supplies. It'll likely surprise you just how many healing supplies one of these mass combat events can run you. From healing potions to kits to scrolls, you're going to want to be well prepared so that you're able to stay in the fight during the event. There will be a lot of enemies, and damage can rack up on you really fast. PC healers will only be able to do so much for you, and it's always good to ensure that you can heal yourself, just in case. Heal potions are probably your best bet.

2. Don't use summons/familiars. Having so many people in a single area can be a bit of a strain on the server. As such, the use of summons/familiars is prohibited, since they can have a moderate effect on lag. 

3. Coordinate wards as best you can. With 50+ players in an event, there will be a period where everyone is allowed to ward together. Understand that mages will throw out group wards for everyone to benefit from, and try your best not to overlap. It'll help to hold such spells for later on, when you have chances to "regroup" and those that have lost their wards will need new ones. Warding scrolls should almost certainly not be necessary.

4. The chat will be chaotic, so understand that roleplay may be difficult at times. Roleplay is great and I encourage you to try it, but know that due to the limitations of attention span and how fast we can all read as walls of text are shooting by, it may be difficult to engage in intensive roleplay during these sort of events. I've found that usually quick, concise emotes and phrases work best, as long paragraphs will get lost in the void. 

5. Consider your setting and audience as you're roleplaying. This is mostly for the Storyteller events, but this can apply to other mass events, too: even though chat will be chaotic, that doesn't mean people won't listen/watch to what you're saying/doing. That means that you should be as wary of drawing unwanted attention to yourself by saying/doing things as you would be during normal server times. For example, a drow character yelling "I love bathing in the blood of hated elves aaaaaahhhhhh!" in the middle of a party that will include elves/other goodly people likely isn't going to fly. There are already many OOC considerations made so that as many people as possible can participate in these events, so aggravating the issue will result in IC consequences, removal from the party, or other such penalties.

6. Enemies are color coded by difficulty. Green is meant for PCs under level 16, and these enemies will have no additional immunities/resistances that the base monster wouldn't have. Red is for 17-23, and monsters of this category usually also don't feature additional immunities or resistances. Purple is for 24-30, and may be given immunities/resistances to some things, but have weaknesses still that can be exploited. Gold is a boss monster, meant to be taken on by the whole party and will prove dangerous to everyone. Gold monsters will almost always be immune to most, if not all, status conditions and CC effects. Sticking within the level range of your character is not necessary, and I couldn't enforce it even if I wanted to. But, it makes for the best experience in my opinion, as it keeps lower levels from getting crushed, and keeps higher levels from running over challenges meant for lower levels.

7. Turn off the combat log. There is going to be so much going on, it's not going to help you in the moment. If you want to keep it open for logging purposes, then I'd just minimize it and save your sanity. Things will be going so fast that you'll be unable to make use of it otherwise.

8. Keep calm and wait for a revive. Getting downed isn't the end of the world. It's pretty common to get knocked down at least once during the course of these events, but there are opportunities to get picked up by allies and rewarded/healed before you rush back into danger. Don't sweat it!

9. If you are trying to do something that requires DM approval/work to accomplish, send a tell. With everything going on topside, I may miss it if it's in normal chat. A tell will stand out to me much better than a normal chat message!

10. Have fun! At the end of the day, this is meant to be a ball of chaotic/epic fun, so let loose with it!
#6
Good evening CD!

With staff permission, I'll be compiling a list of information regarding the noble families played by PCs on CD. This list is meant to be a resource for DMs to reference in plots so that when a PC's noble lineage is brought up in roleplay, we're able to have NPCs act more consistently. 

There have been a few times where PCs have been confused that in one plot they're received one way, and in another plot, they're received another way. Sometimes there are things operating behind the scenes that the PCs aren't necessarily aware of (regional difference, opinion of the family, inherent distaste of nobility, etc), but sometimes, there's a gap in information that we as DMs have access to (achievements in plots, relation to family, etc). This list is meant to remedy both of those issues, and help create a more meaningful experience for those who wish to wield (for better or worse) their family's reputation in an event. 

What I would ask from those of you who play noble PCs is to PM me on the FORUMS a list of information, to include:

  • Your PCs Name (include the last name please)
  • If your family is a canonical Faerun house or homebrew for CD
  • PCs homeland
  • Name of the head of the house
  • PCs relation to the head of the house
  • A link to your approved CD app for your noble PC
  • Any noteworthy deeds/failures accomplished via plots on CD

I may ask for more information as needed.

This information will not be posted publicly, and is only meant to be used as DM reference. So please, don't feel the need to hide anything, as the more information we have, the better we can roleplay our interactions. 

While this information will be used as a DM reference, some of it will also be available to the PCs in question. Once the information has been received from you, the player, we will organize it, run it through a committee of staff members, and then push out what's applicable/known to you, so that you also have a reference for what you believe your family's standing is.

If you have any questions, please PM them to me via discord or forums. But again, if you'll be providing information, do so via FORUM MESSAGE.

- Blackheart
#7
Player Announcements / Break from DMing
Oct 29, 2022, 10:58 AM
I'm off standby, plots I had to pause are back on the schedule.
#8
Player Announcements / Break from DMing
Oct 14, 2022, 04:28 PM
I'll unfortunately have to take another break from DMing for the foreseeable future.

Plots and events I had scheduled will be resumed ASAP.
#9
Player Announcements / Break from DMing
Oct 02, 2022, 05:56 PM
Break is over.
#10
Player Announcements / Break from DMing
Aug 14, 2022, 11:20 PM
Hey everyone,

With my latest plot wrapped up, I'll be taking a bit of a break from DMing. 

During this time, please don't come to me with plot requests or anything like that. I can help do relevels/rebuilds and stuff from time-to-time, but I'll be otherwise taking some time to hang out playerside and relax.

and  I'm still planning to run both of you plots, and I'll reach out when I'm ready for the planning stages. However, if you both feel like going to another DM in the meantime to run them for you, that's totally fine. 

See you all IG,
Blackheart
#11
Thanks to everyone who came to enjoy the festival and the storyteller events!

For those of you that earned tickets, as a reminder, the rewards are as followed:

3 tickets = DM Item of your tier
2 tickets = Magic trinket
1 ticket = Trinket

So, ONE character per player may spent up to 6 tickets to receive all of those items. I know how many you have OOC, so if you don't know, ask me.

Tickets were calculated by player. You must spend your tickets on ONE of your characters that participated in the events. You may not trade your tickets to another player.

Via discord PM or forum PM, please send this completed form back to me within THREE WEEKS of this posting. You only need to do this for the DM item, as the trinkets will be the same for everyone. After that, I will not take any more requests, and your tickets will disappear.

Character's name

Current classes/levels/total ECL

Item slot you would like (if any)

Item you currently have in that slot (include stats please)

Anything that would cause you not to use the item ICLY

Your current layout of total attribute bonuses, resistances, immunities, etc

Which of the storytelling event themes would you like to have for your item?
Thanks again for all the fun times, and I hope to see you all around! - Blackheart
#12
General Discussion / Holiday Thank You
Dec 11, 2020, 12:45 AM
DubiousScroll Avatar
Blackheart Avatar
This is the closest thing I'll have to Christmas/New Years this year, so this was really special to me, so again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.


- Blackheart

This hits hard, as, likely, it'll be the same for me and my wife.  Really appreciate all the people on CD over this depressing holiday season!
D: 

At least you will have your wife there with you <3 Hope you have a good holiday season regardless!..
#13
General Discussion / Holiday Thank You
Dec 06, 2020, 12:58 PM
Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate Yeartide in game yesterday - not only was the turnout amazing, but the thoughtfulness that went into the many gifts given during the event was absolutely humbling. CD is full of so many talented, gifted, and thoughtful people, and those qualities were definitely on display. I hope everyone had as much fun with it as I did.

Thank you to Melody for not only doing a large chunk of the setup while I was dead from night watch, but also surprising me (and Celeb) with some really deep and meaningful character development near the end. I don't regret having Celeb ugly cry in front of everyone in the slightest, it was so incredibly worth it. You continue to display just how meaningful and deep your RP can be, and how proficient you are at drawing out a character's development through backstory and roleplay.

Thank you to the Admins for helping approve what needed to be done for the event to even happen (and believe me, there were many requests thrown in). The timely responses and feedback to what I could and couldn't do helped me stay on schedule and made the logistical side of things -so- much easier. 

Thank you to Fox for telling me which containers had loot scripts, and which didn't. I would have absolutely lost all of those container items if you hadn't. And it would have been awkward for everyone.

Thank you to all of the veteran players who came to showcase just how welcoming and warm our community can be. There's a reason that we've continued to grow, and the playerbase is a huge part of that!

Thank you to all of the new arrivals who decided to take a chance and come and participate with us. I hope to see you all around in the future, where I can get to know you and your characters a bit more intimately!

This is the closest thing I'll have to Christmas/New Years this year, so this was really special to me, so again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.


- Blackheart

#14
There's a quest request thread to post an idea you have, vague or specific.

You're also free to reach out to DMs specifically.
#15
I'm cleaning up the "Elves of Deepingdale" forum, and I wanted to make a post concerning those that "should/could" have access to the forum, but currently don't! 

If you need access, or wish to request access, feel free to shoot me a PM on discord or on the forums.

If you're an elf (with the key in your inventory), you should be granted access with ease. 

However, there are others other than elves that will be welcome in the forums. Sha'Quessir, for example, would be granted access, as if they were a full elf.

If for some reason you feel as though your character who is not an elf should have access, or if you feel there's another character that you think should have access, let me know. Send me a quick reasoning as to why that character should have access, and I will consider it and grant/reject it as needed.

- Blackheart