theworldofdreams.com

*steps on his soapbox*
(warning: long post)

To begin, I would like to share my first group hunt story. My first character, Pau, was very fortunate that I had a mentor, Uthr Rhain, to show me the ropes. I died frequently, but Uthr (or someone else) was always willing to help me.

One particular day, a group of WoDians (it's been so long I don't remember who all was there, but Uthr wasn't) decided to clear the Orcs out of the Forest around Cove, and then the Fort. There I (Pau) was, decked out in mostly exceptional armor, with an exceptional mace (I still have the mace) and exceptional shield. As a Tank, I was at the front of the pack, and to say I was chomping at the bit would be an understatement.

We finished clearing the woods and gathered outside the Fort where mages were meditating and buffing, and everyone was preparing to assault the Fort, when I took it upon myself to run in. I figured, I had been killing Orcs without too much problem, so what could be so tough, right? I ran in, saw A LOT of red (Orc Dragon Defenders, Orc Master Mages, Orc this and Orc that), and suddenly found my health down to about 1/8th of what it had been when I started. This dramatic drop took all of about ten seconds (literally) because I hadn't bothered to get re-buffed (not sure I even knew about buffing).

I immediately ran back out, made it to the group of meditating, fire-burning mages and died. In the process, I brought out about ten mobs to attack the group, which was not ready. Fortunately, they were far more experienced than I, and they were able to handle this onslaught. I got rezzed, got my gear back, went back to the front of the group and did it again. At the time, no one explained to me (that I can remember) that what I had done was wrong. The second time I died they left me dead for a time while they worked on the Fort. Finally, someone rezzed me, but by then, the work was mostly done.

It wasn't until afterwards, when I complained to Uthr that I hadn't been able to help clear the Fort, that I was told what I did wrong. Uthr explained to me, in his own way, that by doing what I did, I had put the group in unnecessary danger.

I wasn't being malicious when I did it--I simply didn't know any better. Like a lot of newer players, I was ignorant of the mechanics of group-hunting. Now, I have never played UO anywhere else, so I was lucky because I didn't have any bad habits to unlearn. A lot of the folks who come here aren't that lucky.

This month marks my 4-year anniversary on WoD. As I contemplated the events of the last 48 months, I actually seriously considered quitting and going to another shard. I even applied at one other shard and was gathering information on several others.

Why? The thrill of being here was gone. There was whining, complaining and general bitching on the Boards about this and that, mostly about certain newer people. When I hunted, I almost always did it with the same people. When Sholeh left WoD (and we broke up in real life), Kasia took it upon herself to keep me interested, and she succeeded, for a time.

As wonderful as she is, I was still ready to move on, when last evening I had a sit down chat with Nia. Nia and I have been friends for a long while, and if I was leaving, I wanted her to know why (and honestly, to see if she was interested in going with Kasia and me). I whined at her about what was bothering me, when she stopped me dead in my tracks. She did this by letting me know that I was spoiled and jaded. This naturally got my dander up, but I listened, anyway. The problem wasn't with WoD, she explained. The problem was with me, looking for problems.

One of the Universal Laws (that I keep forgetting) is that if you look for trouble, you will find it. If you look for issues to bring up, you will find them. If you look for what is wrong with your fellow WoDians, you will most certainly find something.

On the other hand, if you look for good things, you will find them. If you try to find the good in people, it is there. If you stopped focusing on the negative and instead focused on the positive, the positive will win out. (It's called the Universal Law of Attraction: like energy attracts like energy. Ask your friendly neighborhood physicist to explain it to you some time. Pretty amazing.)

I thought about what she said and I thought about that first group hunt, when an idea struck me. How many of us, that have been here for longer than a year or two, have had the benefit of an older, more experienced player to help us out? I know I did. I have tried in the past to do hunting classes, which were an utter failure. I know that Edison and Leia Ranar have both organized group hunts (like Joram's tonight) to help show the newer players the ropes, but these have been met with limited success. (Joram, I sincerely hope yours is the exception to the rule.)

Part of the reason is that a lot of the newer players don't read the boards, so they don't know about the event. Part of the reason is that in a group setting, it can be very difficult to give someone the time they need to absorb all of the information being thrown at them. I have tried to help people in the Bank, and a lot of what I am trying to convey gets lost because other WoDians, being the nice people that they are, are also trying to help that person. Hell, I've been here 4 years and I still get lost with all that can be going on in the Bank. Imagine if you are new?

This brings me to the reason for my post: what I am proposing is that the older players (the Oldbies, I guess) pick one night of the week to "help" a younger player. This does not have to be any big organized event--just pick a night, pick a newer player, introduce yourself and offer to show them the ropes. I would suggest that you do this in a very friendly, non-confrontational way. Find someone either with a "young" tag or someone who isn't a "master" and ask if they would like to hunt. Take them someplace not too difficult, and get to know them. Talk to them. Find out where they are from, what they like to do etc BEFORE offering up advice. Please remember: the person you are trying to help probably has come from a shard where group hunts simply didn't happen, and everyone had to look out for themselves. WoD is unique in that groups do hunt together and people come by the truckloads to help when it's needed.

This is strictly voluntary, gang. I am not asking that everyone meet at a particular time and a particular place to do this. Do it when you have the time to devote to ONE younger player. I am also not suggesting that this isn't going on in some limited fashion now, either. I know some of you are reading this thinking "I do that already!" and that is great, but the fact is, a lot of the newer players and probably some "veterans" don't know how to group hunt. I have been on enough Quests and other group hunts lately to know that is true, and I refer you back to the beginning of my post for my own personal story. I wasn't being rude, inconsiderate or mean--I was being ingnorant. Fortunately, Uthr and some others were patient and tolerant with me, and I learned.

Also, please ask yourselves how you FELT when you first came to WoD. Did you read the boards? Did you keep to yourself? Did you have someone helping you to learn the WoD way? Both Nia and Kasia admitted to being scared when they got to WoD. They didn't know what to expect. Hell, I had Uthr "baby-stepping" me and I was still scared.

I'm sorry that this is such a long-winded, rambling post, but I had a lot to say. Like I said, I thought about just saying "Screw it!" and walking away, but the fact is, I love this place. I love the people here (even some I have had issues with), the Admin, the Staff, the Host, the Manual Host etc, and I am re-energized to make WoD as good as it can be. I KNOW that we, the older players, have it in our power to do that. The first step is to get to know the younger players and welcome them properly into the fold.

Finally, let me give you two scenarios. The first assumes that none of the above happens. Where will WoD be? The Oldbies will continue to whine and complain about the Newbies, the same people will continue to hunt with the same people and the newer players will either form their own groups or leave. In other words, a very fragmented society. If, on the other hand, we as older players take it upon ourselves to help the younger players feel like they do belong and show them the ropes, imagine how great this place will be? Imagine going on a group hunt KNOWING that the younger player in the group has your back. Also, imagine how good that younger player will feel hunting with the veterans?

It's up to us, gang. We can continue to whine and complain about this and that, or we can take the time and small effort needed to make WoD the great place it once was and can be again.

Kasia, Nia and I are going to do this, starting immediately. We hope that you, "gentle reader" (stolen from Stephen King) will join us.

Obviously, other ideas, suggestions and comments are most welcome. Thanks for reading!

*steps off his soapbox*

I assume I can count on you three to be accompany us tonight then? I really miss hunting you and Kasia. Setting apart one night a week to help new players sounds like an excellent way to make sure we stay in touch

Joram Lionheart wrote:I really miss hunting you and Kasia.

You hunt Kasia and me? I wondered who that was...

I will make every effort to be there, but Sundays can be hairy for me.

Hehe, WITH you and Kasia. I don't think I'd be fast enough to keep up with Ki'Anna. Pau might be easier prey though

amen

I first started out here alone for the most part. Kasia helped me out a lot. I remember quite a few times I was afraid that I was going to die while hunting bigger and tougher things than I was used to fighting alone. The first time I set foot in lower despise was with Ki'Anna and I think one member of the Wildwood clan. I was wondering how we would stay alive. It was an exciting time, we killed an ancient. I still have that Ancient Dragon in my bank. Another time I can remember was fighting back the shabooli's in Minoc with Maddox. He took me under his wing and we cleared out as much as we could.

I think this idea is a great one. I know if I didn't have as much on my plate as I do now I'd partake in it. I could always use a refresher in group warfare tactics.

I'm so very glad you guy's decided to stay. You all would be missed so very much. Kasia was the first person I met here at Wod, she made me feel so welcome. I would be happy to help in any way I can.


~Bronwyn~

Kasia was my angel. The first day I was here, she gave me everything I needed to get started: clothes, armour, weapons, advice and gold. That first day just blew me away with her kindness - it really set WoD apart as a shard where people cared about eachother and want to work together. Sure, on other shards, oldbies will give you stuff, but it's more like they're lording over you and throwing you scraps. Kasia actually took the time and effort to help me out.

I'll always hold her in the highest regard for that.

- Marius the Ex-Newbie
Reflecting on the "Old Days"

Awww thanks guys,you mean alot to me too.


I remember how scared I was my first day here,and how wonderful it felt to have a welcoming hand there.Helping others is my way of giving back to the shard and repaying the kindness of those that did so much to help me get started.