First Impressions

[Siteri Kidachi]

But the only reason that's where it is was because they voted on where the prime meridian would be. It could have been anywhere... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Meridian

[sesmi]

But the only reason that's where it is was because they voted on where the prime meridian would be. It could have been anywhere... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prime_Meridian

I know that. why are we talking about this? there needs to be 2 lines exactly oppsite each other somewhere in the world, and it just so happens it's there.

[Karyuu]

Sesmi, you have to know what way is north and you have to be able to test this for yourself. That is what makes a fact a fact. If someone tells you that A is north but someone else says B is north, you have to know which one is right - some tool, some method, something that will tell you where this mythic "north" really is.

[Peacer]

very nice quath... it pleases me to see that some takes time to write their thoughts about the game... i believe we will see more posts from you in a positive direction

[Einnol]

If someone tells you that A is north but someone else says B is north, you have to know which one is right - some tool, some method, something that will tell you where this mythic "north" really is.

Exactly!  I think this is what Siteri was trying to say.  If my understanding is correct, even though Yliakum is underground, it is still on a planet of some kind.  I assume that this planet has an axis that it rotates on and a magnetic north pole like other planets that we know (including our own).  So, the ancient explorers and mapmakers would have needed a compass of some sort to determine with direction the north pole was.  But, would a compass work that far underground or would the magnetic fields be blocked/absorbed by the earth and rock?     I don't know that much about the properties of magnetic fields.  Maybe someone else does.

[Xillix Queen of Fools]

Aye i think Siteri just wants an in game explaination of how a compass would work down here. Settings that define the physics of why we say north is north. One could say for instance that the power fluxuations of the azure sun move in accordance with true north and south and can therefore be tracked or measured either by looking at the crystal or with some device similar to a compass. That is a stab in the dark  . . .

[220 BCE china]

[Bereror]

Not every planet has a magnetic field. Mars, for example, has no planetwide magnetic field. We on the Earth have a magnetic field and it is one of the major protections against cosmic radiation.

It is highly possible that Laanx and Talad created the Yliakum world underground because the planet didn't have a magnetic field or it was very weak. On the ground it might be deadly for any living creatures.

But I agree that there might be some other magic powers either from the crystal or from the Azure sun that people in Yliakum can measure. Perhaps a device similar to the compass that always shows in the direction of one of the temples, either the Laanx Temple or the Talad Temple. Or maybe in the direction of the crystal.

[eldoth_terevan]

How about obtaining a lodestone? Then "/lodestone" would cause the message, for instance, "Your loadstone swings and points straight ahead of you." Since a lodestone would point North (or whatever Talad wants), this could give a general indication of direction. However, there could be unexpected conditions that might cause the lodestone to read incorrectly.

[Voltare]

Hi, folks.

I'm also a newbie here, and was looking through the message boards while the client is downloading.  While I have no idea what to expect from the game, I do have a pretty solid idea of what to expect based on the screenshots, FAQ, manual, and the various comments on this forum.

Quath, thanks a bunch for your insight.  I know how it gets when as a Game Master (or programmer, or person in charge) you become so familiar with the complexities of your project that you sometimes forget what it's like for the beginner.  For any project in the alpha or beta stage, it's the beginners who matter most, since they're a crystal ball on what to expect in the near future.  For me, it gives me some advice on what to look out for, and not end up feeling totally embarressed when I spawn for the first time, wondering what the heck this place is. 

An additional suggestion, as I was thumbing through the manual, though.  I loved roleplaying when I was a lot younger, and haven't had interent for a long time.  Now that I have it, I'm looking for a chance to enjoy roleplaying online, in just the kind of environment that I believe the creators have in mind.  I can completely appreciate the challenges the developers must be facing, between balancing gameplay, mechanics, story, art, patches, drastic age differences, how much blood is too much, and all the myriad complexities of such a project.  Thanks for putting the effort into a project like this.

Oh yeah, the manual.  A more dramatic introduction, or possibly a short story that compels us to get involved is desperately needed.  I remember when I was 12, there was a Game Master who was...  well, like God to us.  He could create roleplaying scenarios and situations out of thin air, put us through hell, and leave us gasping for more - and never used a statistic or any-sided die.  He taught me the mechanics were just a way to represent the reality he was weaving for us.  Naturally, if he were to tell us which way north was, I would swear by it on my dying breath.

Ok, the download is finished, so off I go.  Thanks a bunch!

Stephan

[Karyuu]

The manual itself needs a major face-lift It'll be taken care of as soon as we find the time for it.

Welcome to PlaneShift and the boards, Voltare! That is the kind of GM team that we hope to have as things progress here - game mechanics and stories both.

[Quath]

I have written several codes at work.  It is always interesting to see what was assumed about new users and what new users really are doing.  I get surprised a lot.

So now when I know someone new is going to try out some software I have been working on, I like to sit with them and watch what they do and what they assume.  I then try to go back and code ways to odeal with their assumptions or update the documentation or error messages.

I like it that this game focuses on roleplaying.  Too many games out there are focused on stat building and PvP.  I think there is a healthy balance between l33t lewt, power gaming and roleplaying.  I think PS is on a good path.

Quath

[Wired_Crawler]

But I agree that there might be some other magic powers either from the crystal or from the Azure sun that people in Yliakum can measure. Perhaps a device similar to the compass that always shows in the direction of one of the temples, either the Laanx Temple or the Talad Temple. Or maybe in the direction of the crystal.

I tell you all again, coordinate system used in Pratchet's "Disc World" is better for Yliakum We only need to see actual Azure Sun on the ceiling, always in correct position...