The World of Avlis

This looks like a fantastic realm and i know that warnings are given - but the difficulty in gaining XP as a lvl 1 newbie seems ridiculously high. Surely a little more encouragement would bring players back - i have spent most visits naked, penniless and with no chance of getting back to my corpse. It seems perverse to be so harsh on newcomers.[color=yellow][/color]

Take alittle time to scout out the world and get familiarized with it. There is a learning curve, but it is not too steep.

Alot of the older players do not mind helping. So, do not hesitate to ask.

~ Vip.

Choose your starting server wisely. And of course:

Avlis is not designed for hack and slash, or quick experience from monsters. It's fairly tough to level. We'll tell you that right away.

Being 1st level can be extremely difficult if you try to advance through combat. There are definitely some small monsters around that a 1st level can kill, but they will have a hard time. If there were two or more 1st level characters together, they will have an easier time with it.

The main deal here is that advancing to 2nd level through combat is NOT recommended if you are playing alone. You will die alot.

The best way to level to 2nd is to do quests. Many quests involve shuttling items back and forth or collecting some kind of item and bringing it to an NPC. Each time you complete one of these tasks you'll get anywhere from 20 to 40 experience. Luckily, all of these quests can be done over and over, if there is no DM around to give you a live quest. If there IS a DM, they will see you, and they know to concentrate on the newbies more. So just play and you will run into one.

Read the rest at: portal.php?getpage=newplayers

Avlis is what it is. Once you get beyond that point, you appreciate the accomplishment so much more. Even when you get to higher levels, you character will die. In fact, I think Manuel dies more now than he did at low levels. Heh.

Craig Lea wrote:This looks like a fantastic realm and i know that warnings are given - but the difficulty in gaining XP as a lvl 1 newbie seems ridiculously high. Surely a little more encouragement would bring players back - i have spent most visits naked, penniless and with no chance of getting back to my corpse. It seems perverse to be so harsh on newcomers.

where are you? (as in which starting city?) If Mikona, send me a Tell and I'll see if I can help get you started off

I'd also recommend not being shy about asking for help. It's a great way to RP, start developing IC relationships, etc. My character is a big believer in saftey in numbers and I think almost anyone who plays here would be willing to show the new folks around. I've given plenty of tours to new folks as well as suggestions on how to build one's "proficiency". Grouping up with other newbies works very well too since areas that will quickly kill a single newbie can be handled with several in a group working together. Avlis is really designed for groups of people, not individuals, so make as many friends as you can, you can never have too many people around to help patch up your poor bleeding body

A lot of times (seems like it anyway) players will hire on lowbies to do some work for them. It usualy involves just walking around for the most part, but you get familiar with the areas and you get some gold. If someone is really nice, they will do something that will get you some XP as well. For example maybe you carry fire beetle bellies for them, and they show you how to craft items with them. If you keep some of the items, you can craft and get XP, then sell the items for cash.

Just ask around, it works.

Mikona, to be perfectly honest, is obnoxious to get your first few levels in. I moved my character to Elysia for a couple of levels, made some friends, and now plan on sort of living between the two, though primarily in Mikona.

*hums bum bum bum bum bum bum*

I made a level one character
just the other day
mama kicked me out of the farm
told me to go away
then i saw this cute little rat
that blew me the f*ck away

I GOT DA BLUES
*plays harmonica*
YEAH I GOT THE newbie BLUES
*plays harmonica*
I can't seem to get.... enough experience for level number two.

thank you thank you no tomatoes please.

Wulgara wrote:Mikona, to be perfectly honest, is obnoxious to get your first few levels in. I moved my character to Elysia for a couple of levels, made some friends, and now plan on sort of living between the two, though primarily in Mikona.

Mikona is rediculously easy to get xp on as a newbie, even solo.



~S

Strangg wrote:

Wulgara wrote:Mikona, to be perfectly honest, is obnoxious to get your first few levels in. I moved my character to Elysia for a couple of levels, made some friends, and now plan on sort of living between the two, though primarily in Mikona.

Mikona is rediculously easy to get xp on as a newbie, even solo.

~S

I agree. It is by far the easiest. Back in the day when the gangers in the slums gave like 30 xp each, it was even easier, but even now its still quite easy.

Actually, I take that back, but farming in Elysia is just horribly, horribly wrong.

Titanium Dragon wrote:

Strangg wrote:

Wulgara wrote:Mikona, to be perfectly honest, is obnoxious to get your first few levels in. I moved my character to Elysia for a couple of levels, made some friends, and now plan on sort of living between the two, though primarily in Mikona.

Mikona is rediculously easy to get xp on as a newbie, even solo.

~S

I agree. It is by far the easiest. Back in the day when the gangers in the slums gave like 30 xp each, it was even easier, but even now its still quite easy.

Actually, I take that back, but farming in Elysia is just horribly, horribly wrong.

And about as engaging as watching the grass...er...Wheat...Grow.

Many thanks to everyone who answered so quickly. I have been back on but still don't get it.
I think the builders miss a major point - NWN is a fantasy, adventure RP game. Running back and forward delivering items may be rp but is very low on the first two.
The game is meant to be about encounters with mythical monsters etc., not discussing the soccer results over a pint of ale in the tavern - i can do that in RL.
The realm is obviously popular with many people - but I think I'll have to look elswhere for a busy Server (on GMT) that has a more exciting mix of rp coupled with adventure and out of the ordinary events.
Very disappointed

Craig Lea wrote:I think the builders miss a major point - NWN is a fantasy, adventure RP game. Running back and forward delivering items may be rp but is very low on the first two.

Those quests are just there for new PC's to get the first level or two.

However there are many other ways for low level PC's to gain exp's without doing the fedex quests. There are plenty of low level area's on all the mods. Places that many 1st lvl PC's can go solo, and all 1st lvl PC's can go in a group.

Fedex quests are just there to help new people get their feet wet on Avlis, and learn their way around, when they don't have a group to go out with.

If they're not your style, then find other people and go have encounters with them.

But that said, Avlis isn't for everyone, we don't have any problem with saying that. If Avlis isn't what you're looking for, we all hope you find a place that is, and enjoy your time there.

Craig Lea wrote:Many thanks to everyone who answered so quickly. I have been back on but still don't get it.
I think the builders miss a major point - NWN is a fantasy, adventure RP game. Running back and forward delivering items may be rp but is very low on the first two.
The game is meant to be about encounters with mythical monsters etc., not discussing the soccer results over a pint of ale in the tavern - i can do that in RL.
The realm is obviously popular with many people - but I think I'll have to look elswhere for a busy Server (on GMT) that has a more exciting mix of rp coupled with adventure and out of the ordinary events.
Very disappointed

There is a lot to do besides and beyond FedEx quests. Even at level 1, it is possible to go out and kill things if you wish. You need to pick your locations carefully though, as a level 1 character is quite fragile.

Avlis is a world that allows you to do (more or less) ANYTHING you want to; so you can go out and craft, you can kill things, you can socialize, you can deliver items for NPCs, you can do a host of other minor and major quests, you can go explore ruined temples, etc. Don't take this the wrong way, but it is clear you have seen a very VERY tiny sample of what Avlis has to offer and reached some innacurate conclusions about the whole world as a result.

The game is meant to be about encounters with mythical monsters etc., not discussing the soccer results over a pint of ale in the tavern

Hrm. The game is about roleplaying a character in a fantasy world. If your character is the social type, then this might very well entail talking to friends over a pint of ale. Roleplaying can involve socializing, or it can involve adventure, but it is not defined as either one of the above. Try not to limit the scope of what roleplaying means, based on your own views. Others are also entitled to their own views.

- Aloro

I just started in Mikona this week and to be honest, it has been a blast. I have no idea how much experience I have or when my next level will come and I don't really care that much.

I have met a lot of really nice people, saw some giants, got lost, went to the bathhouse, got charmed by a bard, got lost, saw a dire badger (!!), got lost, found out what the ladies on the docks are there for, met more nice people, killed a bug or two, got lost, met some more nice people, got... you get the picture. I haven't even left the city yet.

It is an adventure just wandering about and meeting people and doesn't have to be all about slaying mythical beasts, although I am sure that will come eventually. I know Avlis isn't for everyone but if you stick it out and want to explore some, newbie style, I would be happy to adventure a little with you.

Well I think you just havn't found the right group ingame.

I came onto the server with a backstory for my character already picked out and was very impressed. The first day I gained little enough XP (maybe around 230) but I had some great conversations feeling out my characters place in the world.

The next day I lucked into a group which was going on an adventure doing exactly what the backstory of my PC demanded I should do and I was actually a little disappointed in that I levelled up after just two hours or so of this. Fortunately, the last three days I've only gained about another 200xp, but they've been great fun too

Perhaps you need to give yourself a quest rather than hoping to stumble on a great scripted one or that some DM will drop one in your lap. (btw, Im pretty sure I also stumbled on one of those).
Then it's simple enough to get a band of hearty adventurers together to go out and be all heroic, or dastardly, whichever you prefer.

Avlis gets three thumbs up from me, but yeah, like the guy above said you may want something different.

Craig,

I feel your pain. I started a bard on Elysia just about the time Avlis was featured in Bioware. I am still trying to reach level 2, but I'm almost there. I've had numerous interactions with lots of characters, but nothing seems to go anywhere. (In other words, a DM doesn't take over a character and send us on a quest - which is what I'm really hoping for.) I've never gotten a little reward for RPing or anything - all my experience has been earned doing the FedEx quests.

The only other PW I've ever played was Vives and their "mission statement" is very similar to that of Avlis. In retrospect, however, I leveled up there far more quickly than I have in Avlis. You may want to try that world if you do value RP, crafting, etc.

I don't plan to go back to Vives though, so don't take the preceding as a hearty recommendation.

If you want to keep trying and are on Elysia, then feel free to PM me and set up a time. I like my character so far (Dah'ryn Fei'vren, half-elf Bard) and I am not a power gamer at all, but I will join you and sing my heart out.

Katroine wrote:saw a dire badger.

Be glad you didn't run into one of those Dire Chickens... They'll rip you up in no time. As odd as it might sound... I'm actually not kidding.

Shameless plug - considering joining Aren u'Zaviel's Adventuring Company, the "Taleweavers" specifically made to encourage "new, potential talent".
We're still undergoing formation - chances are i won't be able to get on until summer, but if you're looking for someone to adventure with, i'm basically trying to set up some sort of network.