Trade Guild Faction / Player Group Discussion

[Kamen]

This is a continuation of a discussion started on the Dasaria IRC channel.

The main concept is to start a weekly player group who's primary goal is to start a trade guild in Cear. Some of us feel that the game economy has become too OOC and would like to remedy it through IC action and RP. The focus of this group would be to try to manipulate prices to a realistic value to be determined through the course of play for many types of items not commonly available at NPC merchants, such as those crafted and enchanted by player characters, as well as other rare items that can only be found.

This is intended to be all done IC and allow for intrigue and conflict if other IC merchants don't adopt to the guild prices for example. It would likely be a non-lawful organization that relies on bribes, extortion, threats, and IC violence but everything is negotiable at this point an I am starting this thread to get some input from others in a single place before this goes into action.

One such idea is to have the initial group all start as halfling gypsies coming to Cear. This would involve players only leveling their characters with the group and likely some OOC discussion about the character backgrounds as they will have known each other for some time and come from a common background. They would also have to be self sufficient with a wide array of skills, most notably crafting/enchanting skills/feats, spot/listen, conversation skills, and other such traits to make a well balanced group that can work together as merchants and as adventuring companions.

DM involvement would be appreciated for specialized adventure and conflict, but all of this can be done with player involvement only, even down to setting up a sort of chanti town of tents where they can hawk their good from. Part of the play time would be dedicated to adventuring and another part to RP in town, so we are likely looking for a prime time on the weekend to get optimal random involvement when they setup shop in the middle of N Cear or wherever. Having at least one crier/bard in the group to entertain passersby would be great. I know there are a few of you out there that are really awesome at coming up with songs and rhymes on the spot.

Well, I'm sure I've missed a few other topics that were already discussed so feel free to add to the discussion. The end result will hopefully be an enjoyable player group and a robust IC economy that all can benefit from. So many transactions are handled OOC now. While this group wouldn't police OOC transactions, we are hoping to put the fun back into keeping it IC. The fun of opening a player-run enterprise is in the RP, haggling, IC/RP thieves and other intrigue; not in making game money. That being said, please comment below.

[ChemicalAgent]

Good post Kamen, I think you hit all the high points from IRC.
I'm available Friday and Saturday nights, anytime after 5PM CST.

[Fighter-Wraith]

Great idea and count me in! I suppose we could post our proposed character Bio's here? I'm all in favour of the 'level up together' idea, as we'd be a travelling group, so it makes complete sense.

I'd love to see this show on the road.

I'll likely be available whenever you are, due to the timezone.

[Kade]

I'm pretty much available at similar times to FW. And definitely like the idea.

[papaya taco]

This is of interest to me and this post is intended to express that interest.

Halflings are perfect for kneecapping people.

[Kamen]

Alright, if everyone is keen on playing halflings, we can roll with it. We can get the group going, start adventuring together, and get a feel for it before actually trying to kick it off as a faction, but ultimately a faction forum would be very handy. I'd still like to get some fresh ideas and hope for a little more interest as well.

I'm not available until 11:00PM EST (GMT-5) on Fridays, but Saturday 6:00PM EST sounds good to me.

It might be interesting if the entire group was comprised of stealth specialists, but it may help to get a feel for what everyone is in the mood to play. I know Chem and I already have enchanter characters, so it might be best if the person(s) who decide the go that route are new to the crafting system. It likely wouldn't be as fun, and very difficult not to metagame, if the player already knows all the recipes but the character supposedly doesn't. This could be a good avenue for quests as they try to discover the secrets of alchemy and enchanting. Now that players can even make our own scrolls, we could possibly stage quests to find certain documents or relics. Alright, maybe a little cheesy but just brainstorming a little...

Still looking for more interested people and fresh ideas...

[ChemicalAgent]

I was thinking about using my divine archer build with a sling. But I'm really up for anything.

[Kamen]

Does it have HIPS?

[ChemicalAgent]

Haha, no. But I could remake Taiyl into a halfling as well.

[hannahcoldkiller]

Cuhannans would be cool, too. Or Telkmar. Just don't mess with Isaac or you'll have the wrath of the dwarfs on you.

PS: anything but halflings as they are smelly and gross

[Fighter-Wraith]

Kamen,

The times you've posted as to when you're available are absoloutely fine for me, assuming i'm not out on a Friday at 4am evening, or asleep, like a normal person. (I don't think that'll be a problem anytime soon if we're honest.) As for Saturday, that's just prime playing time, late Saturday evening.

Being new to Das, and never dabbling in the crafting or enchanting system as of yet, it's all completely new to me - so as you were saying it'd be hard not to metagame for some of the vet's, it'd be impossible for me to. I'm all for creating a stealth specialist halfling, it's not my usual breed of character, so it'll be fun and interesting to put a build together.

Looking forward to this,

FW.

[vastgoten]

I am sorry to say that I don’t think I have time to take part in your group. I think it will be great fun!
I still want to praise the effort. RP trading is definitely an area that needs a push on the server.

[Kamen]

Cuhannans would be cool, too. Or Telkmar. Just don't mess with Isaac or you'll have the wrath of the dwarfs on you.

PS: anything but halflings as they are smelly and gross

Halflings were just an initial idea to suggest that they all have similar background. I did think of Cuhannans but other Cuhannan groups have formed in the past and I didn't want to step on anyone's toes. Is the Cuhannen (Dupari or something) language selectable or do we need a DM to add it? Same with Telkmar. I know a little about them, but I'm not aware that they have a unique language available to them or if they just speak in a thick accent. Some of the existing lore suggests they don't have a written language.

I really like the idea of playing something exotic, and perhaps get a chance to fill in the blanks on some of the lore. As far as I know, little has been done to delve into Telkhmar or Exodonian culture.

Does this mean you're on-board CK? This player group is a derivative of the original discussion you started with Chem a few weeks ago, so I'd hate it if you got left out. It's not my intent to hijack it either, but rather get everyone's great ideas chiseled down in one place.

[Crimsonsnake]

well hum gnome! they are the trader, but thats only my opinion XD

[Kamen]

Well, everyone has an opinion...

Are you interested in the group Crimsonsnake? I'd be willing to entertain gnomes as a possibility. I'm just not keen on h'orcs or dwarfs... or half-elves but who actually plays those anyhow.