The Ring of Mayhem Raffle

[shadowblack]

A Special Raffle - The Ring of Mayhem
Later today (9/1) Tallys will begin hosting a special raffle for a grand ring -- The Ring of Mayhem.

Tickets for this special raffle will cost 10 gold each. Adventurers wishing to participate can purchase as many tickets as their plentiful gold reserves will allow.

As the Ring of Mayhem is a unique item, only one prize for one lucky winner will be available.

I get the feeling everyone will spend MILLIONS on this raffle, especially with the upcoming gold cap. Well, everyone who HAS millions, that is.

[thingirl]

I don't stand a chance. With my measly 110K gold. I'll buy a lot though, because Gold is plentiful.

[spencer]

Yep, bye bye 3.9 million :)

[thingirl]

Wow. just, wow. (I smell a repp.)

[Havoc]

Well, if we can only buy 25 tickets at a time, like most past raffles, this one is going to be a right pain. :p

[thingirl]

Maybe they'll be avaliable in batches of 1; 25; 50; 100; 1000; 10,000; 100,000; and 1,000,000.

[Joddelle]

40,000 purchase transactions per million gold?
Indeed, that would be a royal pain

[shadowblack]

Most likely we'll be able to enter the amount of tickets we want instead of buying them in fixed amounts. And if it is in fixed amounts, then there better be options such as 1'000, 10'000 and 100'000 Tickets. Maybe even 1'000'000 tickets, though most people won't need that.

[Havoc]

I'm just glad that there's finally a raffle where I can expect to win a prize.

Anyone know what the #2 figure for gold is?

[thingirl]

Less than you :p:);)

EDIT: Joddelle has 50,472,107 gold at the moment, but she's not ranked.

[shadowblack]

Well, Jodelle has over 50 Million, but is unranked, and I am ranked #2 with 12,606,931. Seems like I have the third highest chance of winning but it's not high enough.

[Joddelle]

Havoc could easily have more than I.

Until about 15 mintues ago I was walking around with approx 17 million, but I had 16+mil at Durnsig and Trithik
Havoc could easily have the same.

[thingirl]

@ Shadow: You posted and I edited at the same time. Who has more XP though?
@ Joddelle: :eek:

[Havoc]

I hope that there will be multiple winners (at least 10-20) or else no one will stand a chance against Joddelle.

I have a 'mere' 37mil

[thingirl]

How much do you have? And he said (and before you say, I know he almost always raises the number of prizes) that it was unique and there would only be 1 winner.

[Joddelle]

depending on the response shadowblack gets about stored gold, I may only play 16 million.

Since I got most of that with a script that the GM has disapproved, it doesn't feel right spending it all in a raffle against other players.

[Havoc]

How much do you have? And he said (and before you say, I know he almost always raises the number of prizes) that it was unique and there would only be 1 winner.
I'd missed reading that bit.

depending on the response shadowblack gets about stored gold, I may only play 16 million.

Since I got most of that with a script that the GM has disapproved, it doesn't feel right spending it all in a raffle against other players.
That's a very nice attitude to take Joddelle.

However, I'm pretty sure that the GM would include any gold stored in residences towards the limit.

[Almathea]

I wonder how Tallys is going to haul all that loot home to the cottage, and where he's going to store it... I'm imagining him swimming through a vault of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck!:D

[thingirl]

@ Joddelle: Maybe you could ask him to simply remove about 33m of your gold and explain that you don't feel right paying it in the raffel because of the script. That will leave you with 16m for the raffel and 1m in cash.
@ Almathea: :D *repped*
@ Havoc: 37M :eek:

[Joddelle]

well, it's partially answered already, since there is no longer a link to store gold at Durnsig
edit: the gold-storage link is gone from the residence at Trithik too

[spencer]

I wonder how Tallys is going to haul all that loot home to the cottage, and where he's going to store it... I'm imagining him swimming through a vault of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck!:D

The Hawklor Branch of Spencer Lionking Savings and Loans is open for business :)

[thingirl]

The TRITHIK branch of the Alanne savings and loans is open for busunius. Why would Tallys walk all the way to Hawklor when he could go to Trithik?

[smv1973]

I can't wait to see the stats on the ring. I hope they will be really good because only one lucky is going to win it.

[Joddelle]

The Ring:
Item 1582: Ring Of Mayhem

* Class: Armour, Finger
* Encumbrance: 1
* Quality: Magical
* Power: Sinister Mayhem
* Melee Rating: +9
* Stamina Points: +10
* Agility: +3
* Aura: +1
* Body: +3
* Mind: +1
* Might: +3
* Nevernal Reserve: +5
* Requires 70 Weaponry.
* Requires 60 Lore.
* Requires 15 Might.
* Requires 15 Body.
* Requires 15 Agility.


Little is known about this magical wooden ring, save for the fact that it was long ago discovered in the belly of a slain dragon, still fitted on the steel finger of a severed steel hand.

This powerful ring bestows upon its wearer extraordinary combat ability -- in addition to other benefits.

Tallys claims that this item has the potential to unleash an energy attack during combat and help you to dodge an enemy's attack.

[shadowblack]

Wow! Me wants!

[Havoc]

Apologies for the cliche, but.....

The precioussss.....We wants it.

[spencer]

I think I'll pass...I don't think it's that great

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. Aaaand, if you believe that, as I mentioned earlier..The Hawklor Branch of Spencer Lionking Savings and Loans is open for business :)

[Joddelle]

Hmmm...
A special attack for the Unarmed fighter, a chance to dodge in combat, and some really nice stats.

Wow!
I bought my 1,677,722 tickets

[thingirl]

@ Havoc: What does Tallys have in it's pocketsis?

[Havoc]

An interesting tidbit:

"There will likely be another raffle or two along the same sort of lines as this one," he says. "Of course, all that depends on how readily I can find what it is I wish to raffle off. It's a day and night effort just to keep the clutter in this place at bay."

[thingirl]

Havoc, go read Srythadventuer's post. Hahaha. 2 combat powers?

[thingirl]

OK this IS a double post, and I'm sorry.

Texts:

You find Tallys hard at work toward the back of his shop, stacking several large wooden boxes. The retired master adventurer greets you with a broad grin and asks if you've come to purchase tickets for the ongoing raffle.

"The Ring of Mayhem," he says, smiling, as if the very mention of the item's name evokes fond memories. "Did you know that it was discovered in the belly of a dragon? Not only that, but it was on the steel finger of a severed steel hand. I believe the hand has long since been lost, but thankfully the ring hasn't!"

You ask Tallys how he came to be in possession of the ring. He thoughtfully strokes his chin for a moment and then says that he can't quite remember. Despite your reluctance to believe him, you decide not to press the matter.

"Tickets for the raffle are only ten gold each," he says. "You can buy as many entries as you like, of course. You'll forgive me for saying so, Alanne, but I don't think you're a lady of meagre means. You deserve to give yourself a fighting chance -- there's only one ring to be awarded, after all. And, don't forget, all of gold is to be distributed to our less fortunate brothers and sisters throughout the kingdom."

Tallys turns and glances in the direction of the stacked boxes. He sighs and then returns his gaze to you.

"There will likely be another raffle or two along the same sort of lines as this one," he says. "Of course, all that depends on how readily I can find what it is I wish to raffle off. It's a day and night effort just to keep the clutter in this place at bay."

* Ask to see the ring...

* Purchase tickets for the raffle...

* Bid Tallys farewell and leave...

Ask to see it
Much to your surprise, Tallys reaches into his pocket and retrieves a crudely-carved wooden ring and hands the object to you.

View ? Ring of Mayhem
Ring Of Mayhem

* Class: Armour, Finger
* Encumbrance: 1
* Quality: Magical
* Power: Sinister Mayhem
* Melee Rating: +9
* Stamina Points: +10
* Agility: +3
* Aura: +1
* Body: +3
* Mind: +1
* Might: +3
* Nevernal Reserve: +5
* Requires 70 Weaponry.
* Requires 60 Lore.
* Requires 15 Might.
* Requires 15 Body.
* Requires 15 Agility.

Little is known about this magical wooden ring, save for the fact that it was long ago discovered in the belly of a slain dragon, still fitted on the steel finger of a severed steel hand.

This powerful ring bestows upon its wearer extraordinary combat ability -- in addition to other benefits.

Tallys claims that this item has the potential to unleash an energy attack during combat and help you to dodge an enemy's attack.


After making a close examination of the ring, you hand it back to him.

"It's not much to look at," he says, "but it's value is certainly beyond estimation."

Tallys slips the ring back into his pocket.

Buy tickets:



Please review the official raffle rules below before purchasing tickets:

* Each character participating in the raffle can purchase as many tickets as they can afford at the cost of 10 gold per ticket.
* A total of 1 prize (The Ring of Mayhem) will be awarded to the character whose ticket is selected at random at the conclusion of the raffle.
* Prizes can never be transferred to another character, including characters on the same account.
* Tickets for the raffle can be purchased through Sunday, September 6th, 2009.
* The prize drawing for the raffle will take place on Monday, September 7th, 2009.

Once you've read the rules, you may:

* Purchase tickets for the raffle...
At least 10 gold tokens are required.

* Go back...
---

You can purchase tickets for this special raffle in lots of 1, 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000, or 100,000.

There is no maximum to the number of tickets you can purchase.

* Purchase 10,000 tickets for 100,00 Gold...

* Purchase 1,000 tickets for 10,000 Gold...

* Purchase 100 tickets for 1,000 Gold...

* Purchase 10 tickets for 100 Gold...

* Purchase 1 ticket for 10 Gold...

* Decide not to purchase any tickets...

I'm going to buy 18,000 tickets for now.

[psychoadept]

Hmm... whether to sink ALL my gold into this, or just some of it? I've only got about 200K on my main character, so the cap isn't an issue...

[smv1973]

Apologies for the cliche, but.....

The precioussss.....We wants it.

I just changed my avatar to that last nigt. Now there is a raffle one ring.

[kschons]

I guess that Tally's does not get enough gold from the tokins we give him.

[spencer]

You currently possess 290,265 tickets for the raffle.


Gold 1,000,004

I may buy a few more, but want to hover near the gold cap for now

[thingirl]

@ SMV, I thought that was what that was. Although Bilbo didn't fing the ring in the Dragon. Nobody got my what does it have in it's pocketses.

[Young Ned]

Nobody got my what does it have in it's pocketses.

Some of us just hadn't had a chance to read it yet. And I'm sure others recognized the ref and simply didn't say anything. :cool:

[Joddelle]

Many of us don't have a need to post in reply every time :p

[zmflavius]

Spent 100,000 gold on 10,000 tickets. Likely not to win, but...I'm not giving up before I try with a mega-ring like that!

[thingirl]

Many of us don't have a need to post in reply every time :p

What, everyone doesn't have my "I don't have any real friends so I hang out on an internet forum and post all the time" disease? At least I've gotten good at typing (sort of, I still look at the keyboard).
@ZM: I'm gonna get at least 110,000 tickets. I like spending money. A gen. XP cap is gonna be next. That's probably gonna be at 5m.

[billydakid]

Hmm I don't know if I'll buy tickets with others buying millions. Maybe I'll go around collecting as much gold as I can until the cap is put into place. Man I can't believe the cap is only a million. I think it should be like 5 million.

[smv1973]

Hmm I don't know if I'll buy tickets with others buying millions. Maybe I'll go around collecting as much gold as I can until the cap is put into place. Man I can't believe the cap is only a million. I think it should be like 5 million.

I think 5 million would be a better.

[thingirl]

That's just because you 2 both have waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much gold. As dad pointed out, I now have a chance at the gold rankings ;), even though I spent all of my cash on tickets :D

[paladin]

The ring is definitely intriguing, and we wants the Precious, but I'm not about to blow the rest of my 29K gold on more than the 2000 tickets I already bought. At first I wasn't even sure I was going to participate but I was intrigued by the ring's stats.

[MrBlack]

Mr.Black is fealing really lucky he is only buying 131 tickets.

[billydakid]

I only have just over 1.3 mil. so believe me I don't have way to much cash lol.

[psychoadept]

he almost always raises the number of prizes

You called it!

EDIT: I ended up spending 100K with Xaran and 25K with the other two. In retrospect, I kinda wish I hadn't had my secondary characters buy tickets. If they win it's cool, but I really want Xaran to have it if there's an it to have. I'm kind of ridiculously OCD about things like that. (This would be why I played the game through three or four different times with Xaran, trying to get everything exactly the way I wanted...)

[Oldschool]

Well the mention by Tallys of another raffle or two is interesting. My secondaries are pretty poor so either won't be participating or will only buy one ticket each on a lark. My main only has about 164k above the cap so he's essentially out as well.

Probably will buy a set of umatched plate and an imbuable weapon or two and chest piece and may play the remaining.

Gonna potentially tip my hand but what the h@!! as I"m guessing at least a few others (some with more gold) have thought of this. The reference to another possible raffle or two and the fact that we don't lose our balance over the cap presents an interesting tactic.

Hold onto the excess while the wealthiest players expend theirs in the first raffle increasing one's chances of winning in any subsequent raffles. However, if those other raffles don't materialize or aren't gold sinks..... :eek:

Either way...... "game on". ;)

[scout1idf]

For Scout......

You currently possess 204,860 tickets for the raffle.


His gold has been reduced to...... 800,002

I didn't want to drop it to low just in case something big would come up and not get to far away from the 1,000,000 GP mark.

With the upcoming gold cap, why not......

What did he need the 2,048,600 in gold for anyhow?

[shadowblack]

You currently possess 200,000 tickets for the raffle.

I haven't decided yet how many more I'm going to buy.

[Badstench]

I looked at the message from the GM about a cap on gold and thought, "well, he obviously views this as being an important aspect of game balance".

Having access to multi millions is nice, but it isn't really relevant. I was ranked #4 on the gold list.... not any more.

First thing I did was level all the skills and powers that qualified without spending any general XP, which turned out to be quite a few. I then went and spent my remaining millions on the raffle tickets.

I have no illusions about the chance of success, but this is second to the desire to play the game as the GM envisions it.

The next part of this monologue is conjecture; I'm only guessing at the reasons why we're now restricted to a maximum of 1 million gold pieces.

The GM talked about game balance. What does this mean when quantified against the amount of gold we have?

This is a tricky conversation that entails thoughts of fantasy gaming against real world mechanics, and especially when you consider what money was worth in medaeival times.

Did you ever play Dungeons & Dragons? The money was sorted into copper, silver, gold and platinum denominations. If you correlat this to real history or well known fantasy tales...

Copper was the currency of the masses. Silver was traded between the middle classes (merchants and storekeepers), gold was held by the clergy and the nobles. If you wanted platinum, you had to be royalty or fantastically accomplished adventurers.... or a dragon.

The fact is, economies can be destroyed by a sudden over-abundance of wealth owned by the majority of citizens. If everyone has a million bucks, for example, then a million bucks won't actually buy you much, because its value isn't important.

Back to how this effects gaming in the world of Sryth: quite frankly, it doesn't.

So, what's my point?

My point is to accept the GM's ruling for reasons that I can't answer except to acknowledge that he is the final adjudicator. I don't honestly see the difference between having squidzillions of gold against any amount less... unless... and this is where I get a little bit cynical... he wants to slow down the rate at which players level their characters toward legendary status.

Ooer! I feel like I've just voiced heresy!

Regardless, I've now depleted my gold reserves to less than 1 million.

Whoever wins the ring.... I hate you already! (just kidding)

[Joddelle]

Pure conjecture of course, but nice BS

[Elrond]

Pure conjecture of course, but nice BS

Lol .... Joddelle, would you please remove the ambiguity in your last abbreviation? :p

Sorry Badstench, I couldn't resist! And that comes from someone who agrees with your point of view. It is the GM's call. I hope no one calls him a "socialist" or "Marxist" for it though!

[thingirl]

Yeah, Joddelle. I read that and laughed. It could be read as either "I like it, nice work, Stinky." Or "This rank, nice *beep*This section has been removes by the censers*beep*."

[Joddelle]

Lol .... Joddelle, would you please remove the ambiguity in your last abbreviation? :p

I agree with Badstench on the matter, but no I will not remove the ambiguity! It's not funny if I do.

[thingirl]

That is so true.

[spencer]

See the spoiler below if you want more information:

"I've found another ring that'll be up for grabs," he says. "The Carnage Band is the name I've heard attached to it. I'ver never worn it, though I suppose it would suit someone devoid of my own peculiarities quite nicely."

"Tickets for the raffle are only ten gold each," he says. "You can buy as many entries as you like, of course. You'll forgive me for saying so, Spencer Lionking, but I don't think you're a man of meagre means. You deserve to give yourself a fighting chance, after all. And, don't forget, all of gold is to be distributed to our less fortunate brothers and sisters throughout the kingdom."

Tallys turns and glances in the direction of the stacked boxes. He sighs and then returns his gaze to you.

"There may be another raffle or two along the same sort of lines as this one," he says. "Of course, all that depends on how readily I can find what it is I wish to raffle off. It's a day and night effort just to keep the clutter in this place at bay."

And the stats:

* Class: Armour, Finger
* Encumbrance: 1
* Quality: Magical
* Power: Unbridled Rage
* Melee Rating: +10
* Stamina Points: +10
* Agility: +1
* Body: +3
* Might: +4
* Spirit: +2
* Requires 80 Weaponry.
* Requires 14 Might.
* Requires 15 Body.
* Requires 15 Spirit.
* Requires 14 Agility.


This thick iron ring, its smooth surface adorned with a rib of ravenbone, is a truly fearsome artifact.

When worn in combat, the ring has the chance to send its wearer into an uncontrollable rage, which will stun an enemy and prevent them from attacking until the episode has subsided.

The ring also greatly increases the combat ability of any man or woman fortunate (and skilled) enough to slip it onto their finger.

Tallys has never worn this ring and refuses to touch it with his bare hands.

[thingirl]

Is there a link to look at it? I'll go check.

EDIT: Yup. "The Carnage Band, or so it's been called," he says, gingerly pinching the ring between his gloved thumb and index finger as he hands it to you for examination.

View ? Carnage Band
Carnage Band

* Class: Armour, Finger
* Encumbrance: 1
* Quality: Magical
* Power: Unbridled Rage
* Melee Rating: +10
* Stamina Points: +10
* Agility: +1
* Body: +3
* Might: +4
* Spirit: +2
* Requires 80 Weaponry.
* Requires 14 Might.
* Requires 15 Body.
* Requires 15 Spirit.
* Requires 14 Agility.

This thick iron ring, its smooth surface adorned with a rib of ravenbone, is a truly fearsome artifact.

When worn in combat, the ring has the chance to send its wearer into an uncontrollable rage, which will stun an enemy and prevent them from attacking until the episode has subsided.

The ring also greatly increases the combat ability of any man or woman fortunate (and skilled) enough to slip it onto their finger.

Tallys has never worn this ring and refuses to touch it with his bare hands.

After looking it over, you drop it back into the palm of his gloved hand. He stuffs it back into his pocket and removes his gloves.

"They're both fine rings," he says, "but you don't need me to tell you that."

Notice the line:
"adorned with a rib of ravenbone"

[spencer]

And, finally, new official rules:

Each character participating in the raffle can purchase as many tickets as they can afford at the cost of 10 gold per ticket.
A total of 4 prizes will be awarded to characters whose tickets are selected at random at the conclusion of the raffle.
A character whose ticket is drawn may choose to receive any one ring that is offered as a prize in the raffle.
No single character can win more than one prize in the raffle.
Prizes can never be transferred to another character, including characters on the same account.
Tickets for the raffle can be purchased through Sunday, September 6th, 2009.
The prize drawing for the raffle will take place on Monday, September 7th, 2009.

[thingirl]

I so called that.

[Havoc]

I so called that.

Sorry, but I'll have to claim the credit for this one. Here's the mail I sent the GM yesterday:

Hi,

Tallys mentioned: "There will likely be another raffle or two along the same sort of lines as this one," he says. "Of course, all that depends on how readily I can find what it is I wish to raffle off. It's a day and night effort just to keep the clutter in this place at bay."

I would strongly recommend against this, because people will then hold back, and not invest all of their gold into the raffle. Since the main aim of the raffle, as I see it, is to get people to dump all their gold, I think it might be best to just have a single raffle, and offer multiple prizes, say 5.

Thanks,

Havoc

[Joddelle]

If that rage lasts more than a single round like it reads to me, then that's a pretty nice ring. Though I still prefer Mayhem. I wish we could try out raffle prizes against the training dummies.

But then again, I've never won a raffle so maybe the winners can do so before choosing.

[smv1973]

If that rage lasts more than a single round like it reads to me, then that's a pretty nice ring. Though I still prefer Mayhem. I wish we could try out raffle prizes against the training dummies.

But then again, I've never won a raffle so maybe the winners can do so before choosing.

In the past you could pick an item and go use it. If you did not like it just quit without saving.

[Young Ned]

Yup. That's what I did for the Blades of Legend raffle to decide which blade I wanted.

[Hastifer]

... At least I've gotten good at typing (sort of, I still look at the keyboard).

Two words: Mavis Beacon

[thingirl]

Umm, who's Mavis Beacon?

[thingirl]

Sorry, but I'll have to claim the credit for this one. Here's the mail I sent the GM yesterday:

Hi,

Tallys mentioned: "There will likely be another raffle or two along the same sort of lines as this one," he says. "Of course, all that depends on how readily I can find what it is I wish to raffle off. It's a day and night effort just to keep the clutter in this place at bay."

I would strongly recommend against this, because people will then hold back, and not invest all of their gold into the raffle. Since the main aim of the raffle, as I see it, is to get people to dump all their gold, I think it might be best to just have a single raffle, and offer multiple prizes, say 5.

Thanks,

Havoc

Umm, I meant that I knew he would expand the prizes.

[Young Ned]

http://www.google.com/search?q=Mavis+Beacon

[thingirl]

I don't need a typing tutor. Dad looks at the keyboard too, and he used to have a job that involved a lot of typing. I can sort of type without looking at the keyboard.

[Young Ned]

I can type 80 words per minute without looking at the keyboard. I didn't grow up with computers, but I took a typing class in college and never regretted it.

BTW, why are you now Fatgirl instead of Thingirl?

[thingirl]

Havoc is playing a prank on me. I hope it'll be done when I get back from the Botanical Gardens. I'm leveing now.

[psychoadept]

I don't need a typing tutor. Dad looks at the keyboard too, and he used to have a job that involved a lot of typing. I can sort of type without looking at the keyboard.

I took a computer class in middle school that tried to teach us typing, but I actually learned to touch type in high school when I would stay up past bedtime talking to my friends on the internet. I'd have to turn the lights off so my parents didn't know I was up, so I couldn't really see the keyboard. :)

[thingirl]

Hmm......

Well, dad stays up past midnight most nights, and I have to pass his comp to get up stairs, so that won't work. :)

[scout1idf]

I learned to type thanks to this forum.

I guess that means "Thanks to all of You!"

Havoc, can you give a mass rep to the forum from me?


Now if I could only spell without the spell checker.......

[Havoc]

I'm sorry scout, but there's no way of doing that.

[scout1idf]

I'm sorry scout, but there's no way of doing that.

Thanks anyhow. I guess it's the thought that counts.....

[thingirl]

Now if I could only spell without the spell checker.......

Scout, I can't spell WITH the spell checker ;).

[smv1973]

Ring Of Phasing
item # 1586

* Class: Armour, Finger
* Encumbrance: 1
* Quality: Magical
* Power: Phasing
* Melee Rating: +6
* Stamina Points: +7
* Aura: +3
* Mind: +3
* Spirit: +3
* Nevernal Reserve: +10
* Requires 14 Aura.
* Requires 14 Mind.
* Requires 14 Spirit.
* Requires 70 Arcana.
* Requires 50 Lore.
* Requires 70 Gating.
* Requires 50 Conjuration.
* Requires 70 Telekinesis.
* Requires 60 Divination.


This curved band of solid gold is the legendary Ring of Phasing, and item long believed to have been lost forever.

Crafted ages ago by powerful Aldvarian mages, the ring has known many masters, though it was thought to have been lost when its bearer -- the great spellcaster, Jaron-Arel -- was killed during the razing of Grevorr.

When worn in combat, the ring has the potential of 'phasing' its wearer into another dimension for a fleeting instant -- long enough to successfully avoid an enemy's attack.

Tallys claims to have found the ring in the Kingdom of Ryorsial -- though he refuses to be more precise than that.

[paladin]

Intriguing I'll grant, but if I'm fortunate enough to win a prize in this raffle I don't think I'll chose this new item unless it's the only option. Its special power is intriguing but apart from NVR its stats aren't as impressive as the others. That and I still have at least one power to train up before I can even wear it. Skill wise I'm already set.

[thingirl]

I have all powers in the 70-74 range.

[Zedalion]

Now it appears the total number of raffled items will be six.

Somewhat encouraging for those of us hoping for a miracle... :)

[Badstench]

Arrrggghhhh... if Judge Fury is fortunate enough to win a prize in this raffle, I'm now in a quandary of which ring to choose.

I had my heart set on the Ring of Mayhem, but I'm greedy for NV points, so this option is tempting indeed!

[paladin]

I've currently got 35 NVR, which is generally enough to get me through most everything. I might still choose the new ring though and hold onto it till I met all the requirements for wearing it. Then I could sell ooen of my other rings, since even though the Ring of Phasing's stats aren't as good as the other two they're still better than anything else Marissa's wearing.

[shadowblack]

Hi, there will be another raffle along the same lines as this one, though it won't
immediately follow this one, and it won't offer as many total prizes.

The ranking system for gold will likely be removed. Gold does not currently figure into
the overall/adventurer rankings as other stats do.

The ability to renovate renovate residences will eventually be in place, and residences
themselves will have a score that will reflect their grandeur. The gold cost for such
renovations won't be so high that it will require anywhere near the amount of gold that
the cap has been set at. The renovations will be in the form of small purchases that can
be made on behalf of the residence, which, when added together, will help to add to the
functionality and grandeur of the place.

I hope I was able to answer your question, but please let me know if you have any more or
need any additional info.

All the best!

Some interesting things the GM said...

[Zedalion]

Wow, that's very encouraging, thank you for passing that along.

Repped and all...

[thingirl]

I wonder how much it will cost to renovate a palace.

[thingirl]

I'm not going to win anything. In the small chance that I do, well, I'm not sure what I'll chose.

[Zedalion]

Thinking about it more, I sort of hope that for renovations there's a requirement of time as well as gold. Something like you can only renovate one step for every x days that pass. After all, from a RP perspective it should take time too, and it feels like it would be a bit too easy if you could just drop a million gold and you're done.

Not that -I'd- be able to do that in any case, of course. :)

[thingirl]

Well, cleaning up your residence takes about 10-20 explorations.

[smv1973]

I just checked in with Tallys and I see that more prizes will be awarded. I took this part from the official raffle rules.


A total of 6 prizes will be awarded to characters whose tickets are selected at random at the conclusion of the raffle.
A character whose ticket is drawn may choose to receive any one ring that is offered as a prize in the raffle.

[thingirl]

I knew I was forgeting something. Thanks. That avrages out to 2 people per ring.

[smv1973]

I knew I was forgeting something. Thanks. That avrages out to 2 people per ring.

The winners will get to pick the ring they want.

[thingirl]

I know. It is possible for everyone to pick one, but averages speaking, each ring is chosen by 2 people.

[Doolipalally]

Raffle of The Rings - Last Day!
Over 10 million tickets have been sold! Today (Sunday, September 6th) is the last day to acquire tickets for this special raffle.

Don't miss out on your chance to win one of the three magnificent magical rings up for grabs! A total of 8 prizes will be awarded.

Visit Tallys at his Trading Post outside of Trithik and purchase tickets for just 10 gold each.

I think 8 prizes and more than 10 million tickets means that currently every ticket has less than a 1 in 1,250,000 chance of winning.

I'll let people work out what their own odds are depending on the number of tickets they've bought!

[Havoc]

Actually, since no one character can win more than 1 prize, your chances are substantially better than they appear at first glance.

[thingirl]

It's near impossable for an 8th grader to do the advanced math that it requires to figure out what the chances of her winning are.

[smv1973]

The total number of winners has gone up again.


A total of 8 prizes will be awarded to characters whose tickets are selected at random at the conclusion of the raffle.

[thingirl]

Well, September IS adventurer appreciation month.

[Doolipalally]

Actually, since no one character can win more than 1 prize, your chances are substantially better than they appear at first glance.

True - hadn't thought of that!

Don't think I'm up to working out the odds, in that case. I'll let some of the forum mathmos work on it :)

[thingirl]

Just so you know, I'm in Algabra 1. I can't even think about how to approach the problem.


HEY!!! grrr...

[zmflavius]

Well...there's around 10 million tickets sold, and I think you bought 11,111 tickets...

You have a .11% of actually winning this raffle. I blame George Bush for Algebra 1 students not being able to solve that because back in my day...

[thingirl]

Is that taking into account the fact that a character can only win one prize?

[Zedalion]

Hrm. I want to figure out if I have better odds of winning this raffle or the real-world lottery.

(Pulls out Excel spreadsheets)

(Cries silently)

[Havoc]

I tried whipping up a quick estimate on Excel, but it's a lot harder than you might think. Still, I'm quite confident of my chances of winning my 1 ring. :p

[thingirl]

How many tickets does Mr I-used-to-have-10millions-in-gold have? (That's ment as a compliment.)

[Havoc]

Enough. :cool:

[zmflavius]

You probably bought like a third of the total tickets purchased!

[thingirl]

And Joddelle bought a third, and the rest of us combined to get the remainning third. :p

[Joddelle]

... I bought a third?
really?

[thingirl]

OK, maybe you didn't buy 3.333m tikets. But still, you bought alot. Just, how many?

[Daffanka]

I bought one ticket. I'd rather rely on the laws of irony than the laws of probability if it's about gold and Havoc.

[thingirl]

Like Zm said, I bought 11,111 tikets.

[smv1973]

I have 280,000 tickets right now. I may buy a few more.

[Joddelle]

I mentioned how many tickets I bought in this very thread (http://srythforum.com/showthread.php?t=353#post6482)

Assuming "over 10 million" means 12 million by the end of the day today, that gives me about a 70% chance winning a ring with 8 draws. Assuming Havoc bought 3.5 million, he has around a 94% chance of winning a ring with 8 draws.

Edit: 70% chance means "not going to happen"

[thingirl]

:o 1,677,722 :eek:

[Elrond]

Wow, talk about this raffle being a "gold sink" with more than 100 million gold sunk into the raffle! Whatever happened to the gold for xp idea?

I bought a grand total of 0 tickets. I would prefer something more "certain" in return for my gold, which by the way doesn't compare with the hoards of the Magicals and Joddelles of Sryth!

[solitu]

Alas, it's closed!

Don't know what to say, but now I feel relaxed...:rolleyes:

[Elrond]

The raffle is closed; I am glad to report that I had enough restraint to not participate.

Good luck to the participants!

[Oldschool]

Well as is usual when I play the lottery in r/l I bought ONE ticket for each of my characters.

[scout1idf]

Scout has over 200,000 tickets. Ulric has 100, I think. The girls have none.

Ulric will probably win since I really want Scout to.

I saved Ulric's ticket purchase before I thought about the raffle where he won the Sword of Seven Flames. I wanted Scout to win that one too.

[Badstench]

Judge Fury bites his bottom lip apprehensively.

To the curious and querying eyes he says, "Don't ask... just... dont!"

[solitu]

As promised, Tallys will be distributing the gold to the less fortunate throughout the kingdom.

*pulls his sword out of a tzarl's neck* Aw, so I can have some money back? Sorry for being rude, snakes...

[shadowblack]

I bought just 600000 tickets.

[Doolipalally]

I bought just 600000 tickets.

The word 'just' in that sentence is somewhat depressing!

[thingirl]

Yes, he spent "just" 6,000,000 gold.

[zmflavius]

12,000 tickets total, at least I have more than a number of other participants. But if all the mega ticket buyers like Havoc, SMV, and Shadowblack quickly get prizes, I might have a fighting chance.

[shadowblack]

Yes, he spent "just" 6,000,000 gold.
Yes, I could've spent 12'000'000 instead. But you probably didn't need to know that.

[racey]

THE RAFFLE OF THE RINGS
The winning raffle tickets have been drawn!

Eight lucky adventurers had their tickets drawn at random (out of a pool in excess of 10.5 million tickets) and have won their choice of one of the three rings offered in this special raffle.

The eight tickets that were drawn belong to...

Judge Fury [Badstench]
Furious George [raleights]
Magical [havoc]
Garet Jax [dhammett]
Trent [racey]
Shadowblack [shadowblack]
Joddelle [rgutzmer]
Nathair Ap Dubh [Makhazarhael]

Congrats to all the winners!

[Daffanka]

Nothing unexpected there.

Bummer that my one ticket didn't win though.

[Zedalion]

Congrats to the winners!

At least I can say that I went absolutely broke trying. :)

[thingirl]

Congrats to everyone. I knew I had no chance. Now, back to grinding to get my gold back...

[shadowblack]

I won! I won! I won!

[Aracelis]

Congrats, winners! :)

Am curious about which rings you'll choose.

[shadowblack]

For me the choice is between the Carnage Band and the Ring of Mayhem. The Band gives 1 MR more, but no Nevernal boost. Also, the power of the band both causes damage and prevents the enemy from attacking at the same time:
The Carnage Band becomes red hot as it drives you into an uncontrollable rage...
You launch a savage, frenzied assault that wounds and stuns your foe...@ Enemy loses 30
* You slash at your enemy
@ Enemy loses 4
* Your enemy is unable to attack this round...

Last but not least the Band's power seems to activate a bit more often than that of the other two rings. However that might be just luck since I haven't done enough testing.

The Ring of Mayhem can cause damage or dodge the enemy attack, and it gives me an extra 5 Nevernal. What's more it gives an Agility bonus, so if I replace the Ring of Long Shadows my Agility will stay 20 (if I replace Long Shadows with Carnage Band my Agility is reduced to 19). I'll try to Ring of Mayhem some mroe before deciding.

Anyway, bring on the next gold raffle! I still have 6+ millions waiting to be spent...

[racey]

I selected the Ring of Mayhem (haven't saved yet). Here is what the special power text for both powers are...

The Ring of Mayhem vibrates as it unleashes a powerful wave of negative Nevernal energy against your enemy...
@ Enemy loses 12


The Ring of Mayhem vibrates and for an instant you assume a phantasmal form, dodging your enemy's attack
You swing your staff at your enemy
@ Enemy loses 21
You have dodged your enemy's attack...

[shadowblack]

Here's the text for the third ring:
The Ring of Phasing suddenly glows bright white as it temporarily phases you into another dimension, making you momentarily immune to your enemy's attack...
You slash at your enemy
@ Enemy loses 0
You have dodged your enemy's attack...

[Daffanka]

I have a feeling this raffle was supposed to get rid of most of the surplus gold over the cap. Stop cheating the system shadow! :p

[Joddelle]

The Ring of Mayhem vibrates as it unleashes a powerful wave of negative Nevernal energy against your enemy...
@ Enemy loses 18

The Ring of Mayhem vibrates and for an instant you assume a phantasmal form, dodging your enemy's attack

Nice... I don't know if there's a special-special yet.

edit: damn - you people are fast!

[shadowblack]

I have a feeling this raffle was supposed to get rid of most of the surplus gold over the cap. Stop cheating the system shadow! :p
It's not my fault! It's the GM's! Honest! See this post (http://www.srythforum.com/showthread.php?p=6829#post6829) for details.

P.S.: Besides, spending all of my experience will require more than 1 million gold...
P.P.S.: Someone still has more gold than me:
Gold: # 2

[spencer]

Congratulations to the winners

[Mak]

Congratulations to all lucky winners - I hope you are all enjoying your new rings as much as I do with my ..."precious"...

(rolls his cliche saving throw, fails miserably)

The precioussss.....We has it.

(switches to the lifestyle of a gentleman spelunker and gourmet of cave fish sushi)

[smv1973]

Congratulations to all lucky winners - I hope you are all enjoying your new rings as much as I do with my ..."precious"...

(rolls his cliche saving throw, fails miserably)

The precioussss.....We has it.

(switches to the lifestyle of a gentleman spelunker and gourmet of cave fish sushi)

Mak how much did you spend?

[Elrond]

Congrats to the winners; and better luck next time to the ones that didn't win, especially SMV. I noticed that all the winners were "heavy weight" players, now enjoying their new toys ;) .

[Mak]

A spend a little over 5 million... Money well spent I must add, and I still have enough to make a serious bidding for the next raffle. Call it the wages of years of sin in Sryth - not as long as Havoc, but pretty darn close.

[billydakid]

Um thats pretty funny how all the top people in the game won the rings. Congrats on winning but seems weird all the top people won all the rings. One would figure you would have a few others who didn't buy many tickets win one. I'm glad I only bought a 1000 tickets because buying more would have been a waste of more gold.

[thingirl]

Well, if you think about it, how did the top players become top players? They did a lot of grinding to get all of that XP, and when you grind, you get items that you can sell and gold drops. And they spent mega millions on it, while the rest of us didn't spend that much.

[scout1idf]

Well, if you think about it, how did the top players become top players? They did a lot of grinding to get all of that XP, and when you grind, you get items that you can sell and gold drops. And they spent mega millions on it, while the rest of us didn't spend that much.

I don't call 2,000,000+ not that much.


I'm just glad I kept 800,000 for my expenses on Seeker Castle, whenever we can fix up the place.

[zmflavius]

I don't call 2,000,000+ not that much.


I'm just glad I kept 800,000 for my expenses on Seeker Castle, whenever we can fix up the place.

What if it costs ATs to renovate our castle...

[thingirl]

Then we will reequip ourselves at Tallys to get the ATs.

[billydakid]

Hey Hey Hey don't put me in that area. I've done a ton of grinding just like the others that won. I never even came close to the millions they made. When I started this game we could train for free. Then it was changed so that we had to pay to train a theory I don't aggree with because we work so hard to grind and get exp then we have to pay to train it.


Anyhow my point of having to use the gold to train is it costs so much to train now esp for the high lvls that you can't get that much gold most of the people who won built up their gold way before the training cost went into effect. Look where my stats are now most every skill other then 4 90 and above , and all powers above 85. I have a ton of points sitting in general well over 2 mill but because of the cost of training I have to pick and choose when to train them because of the training costs. My point being the other day I trained all my skills that had over a 100k each in them and it cost me 700k to do it where as the others got most of their stats free. They deserved it don't get me wrong my only point is that I've done a ton of grinding to so don't put me in the catagory of not doing a lot of grinding to get where I am today. I just had to dish out a lot more gold to train.I also believe the contest should have been weighted towards everyone so everyone including the noobs had an equal chance to win. Just my opinion.

[billydakid]

In addition the people I feel the worst for are the noobs just starting the game. Not only do they have training to deal with but now they have a cap to abide with. Imagine how long it will take them to obtain our lvls.

[Joddelle]

I think the point of this particular raffle was to suck excess gold out of the game, so making it more accessible to the less-rich would kinda defeat the purpose.

[RaleighTSakers]

wow i won! i havent been playing much at all lately, grinding kind of got to me and hasnt been a lot of fun. i still await new content pretty eagerly, and maybe now that im poor i will grind a little bit a work or something. i spent about 5.5 million on my new ring, so im going to go think about which one to get

[Zedalion]

In addition the people I feel the worst for are the noobs just starting the game. Not only do they have training to deal with but now they have a cap to abide with. Imagine how long it will take them to obtain our lvls.

I’ll be happy to speak up a bit as a (hopefully representative) noob.

I just started playing this game a little more than a month ago and I love it—I love the writing, I love the story, I like the game mechanics, I really feel like this could be a game I play for a very long time.

However, to fully enjoy it I’ve found I need to pretend that it is completely a single-player game, and ignore all the multiplayer content. When I explore anything multiplayer it makes me sort of depressed.

When I pour damage into one of the multiplayer enemies, invariably someone who can do a lot more damage comes along and gets the kill—so I’ve stopped fighting them.

When I look at the rankings, I realize that I will never, not in ten years, catch up to the truly great players of the game in skills and powers. What’s more, they have special event equipment that I’ll never have. So I try not to look at the rankings.

And now, with events like this raffle, and the archery contest, I realize I would be a lot happier if I’d pretended they weren’t going on. Participating makes it very clear to me just how, well, noobish my character is and always will be.

So, I’ll be skipping the next raffle, and other player contests, and playing Sryth as a one-player experience. For me, anyway, I think that’ll maximize my fun.

But man, I wish I had known about this game from the beginning, I can tell you that. And one thing I’d really really like is the ability to create or earn an item that is unique to my character, and no other adventurer in Sryth. But that’s not going to happen.

I don’t mean for this to sound like a complaint. As I said at the top, I adore this game, and I’ll be around a while. Just telling you about my little noob observations, for what little (very little) they’re worth.

[scout1idf]

What if it costs ATs to renovate our castle...

I still have 83 unused for the tome. If it doesn't cost tooooooo much I would have a few to fix the place up.

BUT


The improvements would have to really be worth it for me to spend AT's on my place instead of on myself. What good is a nice place to live if you are dead? (yes I know death is not permanent in Sryth)

[Oldschool]

It's not my fault! It's the GM's! Honest! See this post (http://www.srythforum.com/showthread.php?p=6829#post6829) for details.

P.S.: Besides, spending all of my experience will require more than 1 million gold...
P.P.S.: Someone still has more gold than me:
Gold: # 2

Whew..... I thought you were gonna blame me. ;)

Well the mention by Tallys of another raffle or two is interesting. My secondaries are pretty poor so either won't be participating or will only buy one ticket each on a lark. My main only has about 164k above the cap so he's essentially out as well.

Probably will buy a set of umatched plate and an imbuable weapon or two and chest piece and may play the remaining.

Gonna potentially tip my hand but what the h@!! as I"m guessing at least a few others (some with more gold) have thought of this. The reference to another possible raffle or two and the fact that we don't lose our balance over the cap presents an interesting tactic.

Hold onto the excess while the wealthiest players expend theirs in the first raffle increasing one's chances of winning in any subsequent raffles. However, if those other raffles don't materialize or aren't gold sinks..... :eek:

Either way...... "game on". ;)


Actually my secondaries are all well under 100k in gold so they're out - strategy or not. Truthfully, Hawk only has a marginal amount over the 1 mil cap (about 159k) so he's realistically out I imagine as more than Mak and Shadowblack are hoarding more for another raffle I imagine.

Incidentally, when was the cap supposed to go live? I've got over the cap and am still amassing gold.

Excellent point made by Billydakid and duly repped. Being capped at 1 mil will definitely present a problem levelling skills especially for folks that hold all the general xp reserve to "blitz level" a skill or powers or combination at once.

Maybe someone (that has better correspondence "luck" than moi) could query the GM about this. Perhaps it's finally time to lift the caps at the Grey Circle - for gold at least but the xp discount would be nice as well. Plus, implement a free (gold) training program at the Adventure Collective.

If anyone consults the GM why not go for the gold :rolleyes: so to speak and suggest lifting the caps in regards to both gold and the xp discount at the Grey Circle and implement a sister program at the Adventure Collective. Maybe "we'll" catch him in a charitable mood.

Regardless the foreseeable gold issue with training definitely needs to be mentioned and hopefully addressed.

Oh and to steal a quote from Young Ned - Cong RATS to all the lucky winners. As always it's nice to see some forum regulars winning.

I wasn't expecting to win with one ticket per character but it was fun imagining certain folks consternation had I done so. :cool:

[zmflavius]

I’ll be happy to speak up a bit as a (hopefully representative) noob.

I just started playing this game a little more than a month ago and I love it—I love the writing, I love the story, I like the game mechanics, I really feel like this could be a game I play for a very long time.

However, to fully enjoy it I’ve found I need to pretend that it is completely a single-player game, and ignore all the multiplayer content. When I explore anything multiplayer it makes me sort of depressed.

When I pour damage into one of the multiplayer enemies, invariably someone who can do a lot more damage comes along and gets the kill—so I’ve stopped fighting them.

When I look at the rankings, I realize that I will never, not in ten years, catch up to the truly great players of the game in skills and powers. What’s more, they have special event equipment that I’ll never have. So I try not to look at the rankings.

And now, with events like this raffle, and the archery contest, I realize I would be a lot happier if I’d pretended they weren’t going on. Participating makes it very clear to me just how, well, noobish my character is and always will be.

So, I’ll be skipping the next raffle, and other player contests, and playing Sryth as a one-player experience. For me, anyway, I think that’ll maximize my fun.


You know, it doesn't have to stay that way for you. (almost) every player in this forum started with four skills and a level 1 power. Some may have donated and some have not, but the reason all the top players (like in the top 300) are successful is not because they donated (you only need that to enter the top 50 in the rankings or so), but because they put a lot of time into grinding. I've won a raffle and got a great headpiece, and my stamina is #10 in the entire game, but I'm also ranked 124 overall, because I didn't put a lot of time into grinding to improve my s&p. You see, the way to success is just by completing all the quests and grinding...a lot.

[scout1idf]

........However, to fully enjoy it I’ve found I need to pretend that it is completely a single-player game, and ignore all the multiplayer content. When I explore anything multiplayer it makes me sort of depressed. ......... I’ve stopped fighting them.

Don't worry about what damage everyone else is doing. Just keep your eyes on your SP and don't worry about anything else.

When I look at the rankings, I realize that I will never, not in ten years, catch up to the truly great players of the game in skills and powers. What’s more, they have special event equipment that I’ll never have. So I try not to look at the rankings.

As for catching up to others, unless you only play 1 hour a week, you'll level up/catch up quicker than you think. I've only been playing since April 2008 and I already have 2 skills at 100 and 1 at level 99. (feel free to check out Scout's stats)

And now, with events like this raffle, and the archery contest, I realize I would be a lot happier if I’d pretended they weren’t going on. Participating makes it very clear to me just how, well, noobish my character is and always will be.

So, I’ll be skipping the next raffle, and other player contests, and playing Sryth as a one-player experience. For me, anyway, I think that’ll maximize my fun.

You can always get lucky in the raffles. My secondary Ulric won a raffle not long after I made him. Scout still hasn't.
*grumbles under his breath*

But man, I wish I had known about this game from the beginning........

Me too. Only problem is, I haven't had a computer as long as the game has been around.....

.......Just telling you about my little noob observations, for what little (very little) they’re worth.

Everybody's observations, comments, opinions, etc... are worth a lot. Never sell yourself short..........

[Joddelle]

I don’t mean for this to sound like a complaint. As I said at the top, I adore this game, and I’ll be around a while. Just telling you about my little noob observations, for what little (very little) they’re worth.
It is always good to hear from new people in the community, and about the multiplayer scenarios, if you're in one with Joddelle stick around to the end. I guarantee you it will be worth your time.

[thingirl]

And Xarakk gets you the finger, and Ildraria gets you the Wand. And You almost have to get the BoB from Ogerdom. I started in late November/ early December '08. I have all powers at or abouve 70 and all skills at or above 77. I think I have 3 skills above 80. I'm ranked 46-47 over all.

[Oldschool]

if you're in one with Joddelle stick around to the end. I guarantee you it will be worth your time.


GOOD advice..... now if I could just remember that.

[racey]

When I look at the rankings, I realize that I will never, not in ten years, catch up to the truly great players of the game in skills and powers. What’s more, they have special event equipment that I’ll never have. So I try not to look at the rankings.

I thought the same thing when I started playing this game. To put things into perspective I will say that my character Trent was started on 2/19/09 and he has been #4 in the rankings for a little while now. Sure I ground my butt off and sad to say wore myself out on that aspect of the game of late but the point I'm trying to make is just as in many other areas of life you get out what you put in. Keep your head up. Things will eventually go your way.

[psychoadept]

the reason all the top players (like in the top 300) are successful is not because they donated (you only need that to enter the top 50 in the rankings or so)

You don't need to donate to reach the highest ranks. Sure, you'll have trouble competing with the likes of Havoc and smv at the very top, but I've never donated, I probably average less than half an hour of play per day, and Xaran (current incarnation started in December or January) is currently bouncing around between #50 and #55 in the rankings, depending on his bonuses from Fogbough.

[Oldschool]

Same here - been playing almost a year and have never donated and my main hovers in the low 30's although I have been fortunate in two raffles with him. My secondaries which were started later and see limited play all hover around the top 100.

Like has been mentioned before once you've gotten "current" on all the first run stuff I imagine you'll be surprised and pleased to see how your character "fits in". Also take advantage of the forum and the wiki to help offset what I like to refer to as the "Sryth learning curve" - I did and it paid off immeasurably.

[solitu]

No money back!?

Solitu burnt his only 1,000,000 gold in the raffle and learned his lesson...*weep*

[Badstench]

okay... Now that Judge Fury can stop biting his lower lip and smile at the knowledge of a new bauble, he will admit to having spent 9 million gold to attain it!

[Young Ned]

When I look at the rankings, I realize that I will never, not in ten years, catch up to the truly great players of the game in skills and powers. What’s more, they have special event equipment that I’ll never have. So I try not to look at the rankings.

There will be more special events in which you can get YOUR special event equipment. I started playing only a year and a half ago and I've won prizes in three separate raffles. And you'd be surprised what you can do in a lot less than 10 years. Look at a player like Scout, who's been playing about the same length of time I have, but accomplished quite a bit more.

One thing you need to know is that this was a very unrepresentative raffle, designed specifically to vacuum gold out of the deepest pockets. Most raffles have been much fairer to all players, including noobs. Of the three where I won prizes, at least two had tickets that cost 1000 gold each, and no one could buy more than 30 tickets. I'd say 30,000 gold is within the means of even yourself, wouldn't you?

And now, with events like this raffle, and the archery contest, I realize I would be a lot happier if I’d pretended they weren’t going on. Participating makes it very clear to me just how, well, noobish my character is and always will be.

That doesn't even make sense. The only way your character can stay noobish forever is if you deliberately refrain from participating in anything that might make it less noobish... which would have to include ceasing to play the game, so you can't earn any more experience or gold.

See, your character(s) WILL gain experience over time, which will in turn lead to considerable increases in their stats. No, I may not ever catch up to Havoc, because he's had a several-year head-start on me and been playing regularly that whole time. But there are players who may not catch up to me, because I have a year or more's head-start on them. And after Havoc maxes out with all skills and powers at 100, people will start catching up to him. I may even catch up to him if I play long enough.

There's a poem called "Desiderata (http://www.poetseers.org/the_great_poets/misc/desid/)" that I'm thinking of here... specifically, the line that goes:

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

You can participate fully in the game without comparing yourself to others. Appreciate what you can do, and take note of how much more you can do as you progress within the game. Don't try to accomplish everything at once. The first multiplayer didn't appear until at least three months after I began playing, and it was a while after that before I could accomplish much in it. You've only been here a month. Take your time and smell the roses. Don't try to run before you can walk. :cool:

[thingirl]

And it's OK to cheer when the Punmkin it 12+. (Yes, I can make a bigger fool of myself than Havoc can make of me.)

[Zedalion]

There will be more special events in which you can get YOUR special event equipment. I started playing only a year and a half ago and I've won prizes in three separate raffles. One thing you need to know is that this was a very unrepresentative raffle, designed specifically to vacuum gold out of the deepest pockets. Most raffles have been much fairer to all players, including noobs.

Umm, sure, if there are more sort of "noob-friendly" type events, I'd probably participate in them. However, from my glancing through the forums, it seems like many people really dislike events like the Stone Hurl thing that are more random, and strongly prefer events based on character skills, gold they possess, etc. Which is completely natural--you work hard to get your character all this stuff, you want to show it off, you want it to mean something. I totally get that. However, when events like this raffle have such powerful prizes, it leads to a "rich get richer" dynamic which, as I said, makes me want to bow out of multiplayer competition events.

Now, whether the fact that the last two contests (the ones that have been in the game since I started) were designed to reward the powerful characters is a coincidence, or part of the new trend going forward, of course only the GM could say.

That doesn't even make sense. The only way your character can stay noobish forever is if you deliberately refrain from participating in anything that might make it less noobish... See, your character(s) WILL gain experience over time, which will in turn lead to considerable increases in their stats. No, I may not ever catch up to Havoc, because he's had a several-year head-start on me and been playing regularly that whole time. But there are players who may not catch up to me

I don't disagree with you overall, but you contradicted yourself a bit here. I'll never catch up to you, or Havoc, as you say. In comparison, I'll always be a bit of a noob. I mean, if the game runs for ten more years, and I play that whole time, I'll be looking pretty powerful to the people who start then, but could I ever crack, say, the top twenty-five? Almost certainly not.

But here's the thing I don't think you understood from my post, probably because I explained myself poorly--I'm OK with that. I don't mind being a noob.

You can participate fully in the game without comparing yourself to others. Appreciate what you can do, and take note of how much more you can do as you progress within the game.

This is the main reason I felt compelled to respond to this, because I don't think you understood what I was saying in my original post. Which I think is my fault, not yours.

I really really like this game, and I'm doing exactly what you recommended. All I was saying was, as a noob (and speaking ONLY for myself, not noobs generally), I don't see much of a point in participating in the multiplayer content, and I very much doubt I ever will. I'm going to stick to the single-player stuff, and have a blast with that.

[Doolipalally]

I mean, if the game runs for ten more years, and I play that whole time, I'll be looking pretty powerful to the people who start then, but could I ever crack, say, the top twenty-five? Almost certainly not.

I'm smiling now because you're bringing back memories. I thought exactly the same thing when I started playing this game (June 2008), and it didn't seem to matter, because I was having fun anyway.

Rhia's currently at #18. Admittedly being unemployed for most of the intervening period helped!

[Joddelle]

I mean, if the game runs for ten more years, and I play that whole time, I'll be looking pretty powerful to the people who start then, but could I ever crack, say, the top twenty-five? Almost certainly not.

I will state categorically that if you are still playing this game ten years from now, that you will not only be in the top twenty-five, but in the top five. At the current moment, three of the top ranked characters are less than a year old.

And you WILL catch up with others, because skills and powers and stats in this game are capped, so if you donate at all, or win any contests, or both you WILL pass other, older characters that don't.

[Zedalion]

I will state categorically that if you are still playing this game ten years from now, that you will not only be in the top twenty-five, but in the top five. And you WILL catch up with others, because skills and powers and stats in this game are capped.

Well, and that's an interesting question, too...if the game is still around in ten years, will 100 still be the cap for skills and powers? Will 20 still be the cap for stats? I know some were suggesting that increasing those caps might be a function of the Tome of Attainment.

The answer might depend on what very powerful characters like yours actually want. Do you want to see higher caps, or are you happy with the cap where it is, even knowing that, as you said, eventually more and more characters will catch up to it?

I'm just curious, I don't actually have a strong opinion on this topic, I don't think.

[Joddelle]

I don't think there's ever going to be an increase past Legendary(100) in skills and powers.

The GM has made frequent hints, and a couple outright promises for, increases to stats over Superhuman(20)

Though for personal reasons I kinda wish for a way to go past Legendary, if there were a poll asking if I favored the idea, I'd vote against it.

[Oldschool]

Though for personal reasons I kinda wish for a way to go past Legendary, if there were a poll asking if I favored the idea, I'd vote against it.


Admittedly it doesn't take much but I'm confused, unless the "kinda" comes into play.

[thingirl]

I'm not Joddelle, but I think she was saying that because she has AS&P exept Polearms at 100, she almost wants to be able to go past 100. However, if there was a poll, she would vote no, because it would unbalance the game.

[Joddelle]

Admittedly it doesn't take much but I'm confused, unless the "kinda" comes into play.
The "kinda" does come into play. And as thingirl pointed out, the obvious reason is that I would personally benefit. But I feel the game is better as-is in this regard.

[zmflavius]

Same here - been playing almost a year and have never donated and my main hovers in the low 30's although I have been fortunate in two raffles with him. My secondaries which were started later and see limited play all hover around the top 100.

Like has been mentioned before once you've gotten "current" on all the first run stuff I imagine you'll be surprised and pleased to see how your character "fits in". Also take advantage of the forum and the wiki to help offset what I like to refer to as the "Sryth learning curve" - I did and it paid off immeasurably.

You don't need to donate to reach the highest ranks. Sure, you'll have trouble competing with the likes of Havoc and smv at the very top, but I've never donated, I probably average less than half an hour of play per day, and Xaran (current incarnation started in December or January) is currently bouncing around between #50 and #55 in the rankings, depending on his bonuses from Fogbough.

Ok, how about this, you only really need to donate to get into the top 10 or 15, but you DEFINITELY need to do an insane amount of grinding to get into the top 75 (insane meaning a few hours each day).

[Daffanka]

You don't even need to be at the top to enjoy the game. I'm sitting at 150 something and I'm having a great time working through old content. Haven't found a fight that couldn't be beat with the WoD and Necromancy (although Rokmokorra came close!)

That said I agree with the notion that S&P shouldn't go beyond 100. The game already has a relatively large share of very dedicated players, and you're just risking alienating new ones if they see the large gap.

e: a bit of derpaderp grammar.

[Joddelle]

Steady daily play will get you into the top ten eventually, or at least into the top page. As more and more heavy-donors level up they will fill more of the top slots because of outrageous MR/SP.

But you can get to 200MR/200SP without donating (and the luck to win at least one lottery - which are multi-player and the donors often win because the buy AT for them), and that's an accomplishment!

... I ramble

[Young Ned]

However, when events like this raffle have such powerful prizes, it leads to a "rich get richer" dynamic which, as I said, makes me want to bow out of multiplayer competition events.

Understood. My only point was that this raffle was very atypical of raffles within the last year and a half, so judgments based on it may easily be mistaken.

Now, whether the fact that the last two contests (the ones that have been in the game since I started) were designed to reward the powerful characters is a coincidence, or part of the new trend going forward, of course only the GM could say.

Yes, hard to say if it's a trend.

I'll never catch up to you, or Havoc, as you say.

I never said YOU wouldn't catch up to Havoc. I just don't think I will, because I'm not much of a grinder at all, and I go through longish periods (weeks to months) of not playing Sryth at all. Sorry I didn't make that clearer. But as others have pointed out, if I am still playing 10 years from now (a big if), I will almost certainly have caught up to him. Heck, maybe even 5 years. :cool:

All I was saying was, as a noob (and speaking ONLY for myself, not noobs generally), I don't see much of a point in participating in the multiplayer content...

As a noob, no, there isn't much point.

...and I very much doubt I ever will.

Here's the part I don't get that you've understood: you're not going to be a noob for very long. Remember, 3 of the top 5 characters right now are less than a year old. Considering how many players are still around who've been here for several years, that pretty much throws out ALL the "I'll never catch up to so-and-so" claims. And as an experienced player, there's a lot more point in participating in the multiplayer content.

[smv1973]

Originally Posted by Zedalion
However, when events like this raffle have such powerful prizes, it leads to a "rich get richer" dynamic which, as I said, makes me want to bow out of multiplayer competition events.

Having a high MR in the MP battle does not give that player an edge. As long as your MR is high enough so the creature is a +3 to hit and you have a good internet connection you have the same chance of getting the killing blow as anyone. The players that have the greatest advantage in the MP battles are the ones with the fastest connection speed.

[thingirl]

So true, but Thordon, Master of MP Damage and holder of The Axe of the Siver Blaze, your weapon's special rate has something to do with it too. As for browser speed, I find Firefox is better than IE.

[shadowblack]

Could we take the browser discussion somewhere else, please?

[Oldschool]

Could we take the browser discussion somewhere else, please?

What browser discussion? :cool: ;)

Actually since I kept derailing it, so to speak, :o I moved it to random chat.

[Scarbrow]

Could any of you post the stats for the second and third rings? They're not mentioned anywhere in this thread, just the first one, and that's in the now-very-far first page.

[Joddelle]

They have their own threads (not sure why) but here all all three rings in one post:
Ring Of Mayhem: Item 1582: Ring Of Mayhem

* Class: Armour, Finger
* Encumbrance: 1
* Quality: Magical
* Power: Sinister Mayhem
* Melee Rating: +9
* Stamina Points: +10
* Agility: +3
* Aura: +1
* Body: +3
* Mind: +1
* Might: +3
* Nevernal Reserve: +5
* Requires 70 Weaponry.
* Requires 60 Lore.
* Requires 15 Might.
* Requires 15 Body.
* Requires 15 Agility.

Little is known about this magical wooden ring, save for the fact that it was long ago discovered in the belly of a slain dragon, still fitted on the steel finger of a severed steel hand.
This powerful ring bestows upon its wearer extraordinary combat ability -- in addition to other benefits.
Tallys claims that this item has the potential to unleash an energy attack during combat and help you to dodge an enemy's attack.
Carnage Band:Item 1583: Carnage Band

* Class: Armour, Finger
* Encumbrance: 1
* Quality: Magical
* Power: Unbridled Rage
* Melee Rating: +10
* Stamina Points: +10
* Agility: +1
* Body: +3
* Might: +4
* Spirit: +2
* Requires 80 Weaponry.
* Requires 14 Might.
* Requires 15 Body.
* Requires 15 Spirit.
* Requires 14 Agility.

This thick iron ring, its smooth surface adorned with a rib of ravenbone, is a truly fearsome artifact.
When worn in combat, the ring has the chance to send its wearer into an uncontrollable rage, which will stun an enemy and prevent them from attacking until the episode has subsided.
The ring also greatly increases the combat ability of any man or woman fortunate (and skilled) enough to slip it onto their finger.
Tallys has never worn this ring and refuses to touch it with his bare hands.
Ring Of Phasing:Item 1586: Ring Of Phasing

* Class: Armour, Finger
* Encumbrance: 1
* Quality: Magical
* Power: Phasing
* Melee Rating: +6
* Stamina Points: +7
* Aura: +3
* Mind: +3
* Spirit: +3
* Nevernal Reserve: +10
* Requires 14 Aura.
* Requires 14 Mind.
* Requires 14 Spirit.
* Requires 70 Arcana.
* Requires 50 Lore.
* Requires 70 Gating.
* Requires 50 Conjuration.
* Requires 70 Telekinesis.
* Requires 60 Divination.

This curved band of solid gold is the legendary Ring of Phasing, and item long believed to have been lost forever.
Crafted ages ago by powerful Aldvarian mages, the ring has known many masters, though it was thought to have been lost when its bearer -- the great spellcaster, Jaron-Arel -- was killed during the razing of Grevorr.
When worn in combat, the ring has the potential of 'phasing' its wearer into another dimension for a fleeting instant -- long enough to successfully avoid an enemy's attack.
Tallys claims to have found the ring in the Kingdom of Ryorsial -- though he refuses to be more precise than that.

[Young Ned]

Thanks, Joddelle! That will make it easier to add this raffle to the wiki (which I'm startled to see nobody has done yet!). :cool:

[thingirl]

I do mostly small edits. Mostly because I haven't taken the time to accustom myself to wiki markup.

[Joddelle]

I added the three rings to the wiki.
I'll leave to to someone else to add the raffle

[Scarbrow]

The raffles are very low on priority on my to-do list, and anyway, most of the most active forum users have more information on them than I have.

Go on, Young Ned.

[Young Ned]

I'll do some more on it when I have time, but I won't have much of that this week. Got a big project due at work that I'm behind on. :(