Thats why, if it's possible, I would really like to help do my part and contribute ideas to improve upon the ideas of the server. A problem I feel I can help with is server replayability.
When a player reaches level 40, besides raiding for items, relics, and crafting, I feel that they don't have much to do besides creating a new character and repeating the leveling process all over again. I've thought about this for a while and I think I might have some ideas that could help keep players interested longer and not feel that Neversummer is something you finish at level 40 and then walk away from.
a. DM/Diety incentives to play.
I know that DMing is a difficult and time consuming task without much reward, but I think that their presence is a major part of what makes Neversummer such a great place. Perhaps DMs would look forward to logging into Neversummer if they felt they were under competition just like us players. Perhaps a contest that would rate the deities based on the amount of players logged in at the time worshiping them or player opinions of their events; maybe even publically list the rating on the forums once a month, and give the DM's some sort of extra influence or powers based on that score.
b. I think another idea that would bring fun to the server would be for the DMs, as a whole, to guarantee one event a week. The results of this special event might reveal a previously unknown past from one of the factions, give information towards a factional epic quest, or simply reveal a new sign, icon, or statue commemorating the event in some way, or hinting of a new one some time later. The only essential would be that, when it finishes, the event leaves a permanent mark on the server, like a sign, npc, new description or even a portal to a new area. I think this would definitely help motivate players interest in the servers continued growth as well as show them that their presence can change Neversummer's direction, if only something small.
c. More Replayable faction based events
These events would require very little DM time to implement but would be very fun for the rest of the server to participate in, and could last a long time with little oversight. An example could be Lolth appearing before her followers in the Shadow Legion, spawning a shrine, and then giving her worshipers 2 hours to fulfill a requirement for a reward, like killing 5 followers of NC and bringing her their relic. Then Torm could show and tell the NC to do the same. The event might end if a deities shrine was destroyed before the relic was delivered. Another could involve a DM ordering two followers to kidnap some player (kill the player and DM could teleport to a jail cell) and hold them jailed in the castle on a time limit. If the player isn't rescued after an appointed time, the kidnappers are rewarded, or vice versa. Because these replayable events rely on PvP, a DM could set them up with minimal intervention and then sit back and watch, but it would nonetheless be very fun for the players involved
d. Relics. I think it would be cool if there was some special npc that would allow a faction who was able to attain all the relics to release them to their home cradles (picture dragon ball z after a wish is used) and gain some sort of bonus, like additional epic guards outside the relic room or something else.
e. Lastly, I think it would be great if the DM's made a point of rewarding role playing with small benefits. I know Neversummer isn't a roleplay server, but I still think this would encourage players to think less about builds and xp and more about the factions, their characters, and the fickle whims of the gods. I also think this would help add to a better gaming experience and more immersion into the world of Neversummer.
What do you guys think?
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