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 Home  Forums Forum Index Neverwinter Nights NWN 1: Guilds and Registry - Ye Olde Tavern Shannara - Four Lands PW
NWN 1: Guilds and Registry - Ye Olde Tavern
jplesuk
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
 Posted: Thursday, 30 December 2004 04:45PM |
Shannara - Four Lands PW is based off the Shannara series of books written by Terry Brooks. Work on the project first began in February of 2003 and is nearing completion of beta testing. We are always looking for new roleplayers and fans of the books to join us. If you’re looking for a different setting than traditional D&D or Forgotten Realms - this may be for you!
Basics
* You can find more information at the Shannara Guild
* Shannara - Four Lands PW is located under the Roleplaying section of Gamespy.
* CEP v1.5 is required.
* The server IP is 12.33.165.218
* There is no password at this time
* Generic starting location, with options to begin adventuring in neutral lands, or within racial-specific lands
* Mid to Low-level magic.
* Gods/Religions are almost non-existent.
* Semi-permadeath. Each character is given an unspecified number of times they may respawn. If they die and respawn beyond that limit, their soul (a.k.a – your character) is forever trapped in the Depths of the Hadeshorn.
* Most races are very territorial and have well-defined allies and enemies. PCs are assigned a racial faction when they start the game.
* Racial changes to Gnomes, Elves, and Trolls (Half-Orcs).
Features
200+ Areas
Automatic timed XP awards
Persistent Storage
Revised XP system
Lootable corpses
Revised bleeding, death, and dying rules (HABD)
Emote Device, Dicebag, and Voice Commands (DMFI)
Languages (DMFI)
Tracking ability for rangers
Movement skills (climbing, jumping, swimming, etc)
CEP Crafting
Items that allow flying/jumping
Items with special powers by race (i.e. ‘Sting’-like weapons)
Approximately 4 quest givers - some with multiple tasks
General Game Information
The world of Shannara is called the Four Lands: the Eastland, Southland, Westland, and Northland. Gnomes inhabit the northern part of the great Eastland forests while the dwarves hold the southern half. Humans live in the plains, hills, and highlands of Southland, and in the region near the center of all Four Lands called the Borderlands. The elves homeland is in the north half of the heavily forested Westland. Finally, the Trolls (Half-Orcs) live in the mountains and tundra of the cold and barren Northland.
In the Northland, it is rumored the Warlock Lord has returned and is gathering an army of Trolls and Gnomes to his banner. In the Eastland, the Border Wars between the Gnomes and Dwarves have flared up again. In the Westland, strange monsters -Demons some call them- have begun roaming the countryside. In the Borderlands, the Human kingdom of Callahorn looks warily to the gathering armies of the north, while the Druids at Paranor have isolated themselves from the rest of the Four Lands. In the Southland, a Federation of Human city-states have banded together and pursue a policy of separation from the rest of the races. Its borders are slowly expanding.
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy.Edited By jplesuk on 12/30/04 16:48 | 
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jplesuk
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
Posted: Friday, 07 January 2005 07:49PM |
Shannara v19b will be out within the next several hours!
For returning players, you'll probably notice the Start Area has changed. Statues dedicated to the two top designers (Paithan and 'sigh') are placed in the Start Area, as well. Remember, you too can join their ranks! 
Changes have been made to resting. The Gameplay Ambassador in the Start Area can give everyone details on the changes.
Elves and friends of the Elves should travel to Arborlon and view the legendary Ellcrys in the Gardens of Life (just modified).
More ambient tasks for NPCs are in game now. Watch the blacksmith in Tyrsis do his job. Or when it gets dark out, check to make sure the guards are lighting the lampposts in the cities.
Paithan has been working hard on creating new and updating existing scripts for the game. One of his current projects include creating methods of 'hiding' an object so a PC must successfully find it (like secret doors, only for any type of object). He is also working diligently on converting Shannara to use NWNX, so fans of that system should check us out.
BIG NEWS - the cable ISP the server is on has been upgraded with fiber to provide more bandwidth!  Hopefully this will reduce down time and lag.
If you're looking for a non-traditional D&D or Forgotten Realms setting, Shannara may be for you. See you in the Four Lands!
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy. | |
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jplesuk
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
Posted: Saturday, 15 January 2005 08:49PM |
Shannara v20b will be out within the hour!
Major bug hunting and gameplay issues have been worked on this past week. Minor changes in regard to these issues include modifications to resting, bleeding and respawning, swamp bogs, the Valley of Shale descriptive text, the Gnome Hunter spawns, and various others.
The areas of the Black Oaks – North and the Mist Marsh have been slightly changed to better reflect the Rainbow Lake to the north. Check them out...if you dare...
The Kierlak Desert has been slightly changed to better represent the River Lethe flowing into a lake within the area which causes the poisonous fumes that cover the desert.
Traps have been placed for some nasty surprises...
Ambient Encounters are replaced with static NPCs in Arborlon, Culhaven, and some areas in Callahorn. By next week the remaining towns, cities, and inns/taverns will have all-new NPCs. Now not everyone looks alike and is called ‘Commoner’, ‘Nobleman’, etc.
If you're looking for a non-traditional D&D or Forgotten Realms setting, Shannara may be for you. See you in the Four Lands!
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy. | |
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Xillania
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
Joined: 19 Aug 2004
From: Missouri, USA, Earth, Sol, the Milky Way |
Posted: Saturday, 15 January 2005 10:34PM |
So are you trying for a new build every eight days?  | |
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jplesuk
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
Posted: Friday, 21 January 2005 05:33PM |
Heh - yeah, we try to get some new stuff in about once a week. Some weeks we get more in the update than other weeks! 
And now it's time...for the weekly update.
Shannara v21b is up and running!
TOP NEWS STORY: Shannara to get New ISP February 1, 2005
The 2.6 GHz, 512 MB RAM server will now move to a dedicated DSL connection with possible upload speeds of 896 Kpbs. Look for the new IP address here or in the announcement at the bottom of the Shannara Guild Homepage.
We have 8 new areas in this version of Shannara - the most to be added at one time since the first weeks of testing!
Now *all* of the cities and town now have inns or taverns. Look for the high-class Landmark in Arborlon for the elves, the run-down Koden’s Lair in Norbane for the Trolls, and the Lodge in Storlock (courtesy of Mah’din) for the Gnomes and any who are recovering from their wounds or looking for a quiet place to get some rest.
Mah’din didn’t stop there, however. For the truly skilled, or brave/foolhardy, you can plunge deeper into his creation of the second level of Tyrsis sewers. You’ll find more than just rats though. It may not be a bad idea to bring along someone who can harness the power to repulse undead...
Changes have also been made to Arborlon - West. The Compound of the Chosen and the Gardens of Life are now filled with trees and plants.
If you're a fan of the Shannara books, or just looking for a unqiue setting to try, come and check out Shannara - Four Lands PW.
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy. | |
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jplesuk
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
Posted: Saturday, 29 January 2005 07:25AM |
The new version of Shannara is out - Shannara v22b.
Shannara is going through some big, BIG Changes in the next week or so. It’s a time of change as we are fighting lag on all fronts!!!
First, Shannara moves to a new ISP on February 1. The IP address will change, but the name will stay the same. You still can find it under the roleplay section of Gamespy. The new IP address will also be posted in a News Announcement at the Shannara Guild website.
Second, Paithan finished all the scripts necessary to move Shannara from the old NWN database to the new and improved NWNX database we’re now running on.
The Good News for Beta Testers:
Depending on the amount of assistance you have provided during testing, your new character for the 'live' version of Shannara may be given certain benefits like starting at level 2, being a Border Legion recruit, a Skull Kingdom spy, acquiring a cool item(s), etc.
Other News:
One of the many scripting changes Paithan made is the ability to save your persistent location, so you can start there instead of in one of the cities! This is an awesome feature! Talk to the Gameplay Ambassador penguin in the start area to learn how to save your persistent location.
Paithan also has created the start of a criminal system in Shannara. Again, talk to the Gameplay Ambassador penguin for details on it.
Ambient life is completed for all the cities and towns. For example, farm animals will stay in their pens, and people have names other than ‘commoner’, ‘beggar’, etc.
Thanks to Mah’din’s help with testing, and Cereborn’s scripting help from the Bioware boards, the issue with the Timed Random XP has been fixed.
Mah’din has created the lower levels of the Tyrsis sewers/caves and they will soon be available to go adventuring in.
Hope to see you in the Four Lands!
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy. | |
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NYC Rider
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
NWN 2
Joined: 01 Jan 2005
From: New York City |
Posted: Saturday, 29 January 2005 12:21PM |
A PW based on the Shannara series sounds great. I really liked those books when I was growing up. Come to think of it, I wonder what I did with them? Must be at goodwill or something. Nevermind...
I'll be sure to check out Shannara - Four Lands. 
_________________
NYC Rider
Random Pics http://www.fotolog.com/nicolaj | |
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jplesuk
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
Posted: Saturday, 05 February 2005 12:41AM |
Hope you liked it NYC Rider!
Less than an hour ago we moved to Shannara_v23b
With the previous version of Shannara we switched to the faster NWNX database. Then, four days later, Shannara moved to a new, MUCH faster ISP. Shannara's new IP address is 70.57.195.39
We now have a FASTER, and MORE STABLE world to play in!!! Initial upload speeds with the new ISP showed well over 800 kbps and download speeds topping 1200 kbps. In the never ending battle against lag, these are two huge steps forward. 
Other news
Paithan completed 'Knowledge Books' (in about a day or so!). Have you ever wanted to learn Gnome? How about Troll? Now you can! The possibilities for these books are endless. More than likely they will become the way for any spellcasters in Shannara to 'learn' new spells, etc.
The crime system is evolving as well. Be careful not to pick locks in front of someone or pick pocket in a crowded area unless you're very confident you can get away with it. If you're seen by *anyone*, you'll be branded an outlaw!
Paithan has also finished a very cool set of scripts that allow PCs to find hidden objects! Now, more than ever, it's important to *carefully* search that seemingly empty cave or dungeon. You never know where close examination of a wall may reveal a Tight Space to squeeze through, or a loot bag cleverly hidden beneath some loose earth. Again, the possibilities with this are ENDLESS!
New items are soon going to be appearing in the world. Basic Custom Item creation is almost done for the end of Beta testing! Rogues and Rangers can already benefit from the new Trap merchant in the upstairs of the Blue Whisker of Varfleet. If you would rather try to create your own traps, the merchant in the Druid's Secret of Paranor has all the ingredients you'll need!
This week new bad guys are going to be placed, so be on the lookout. There will be new monsters and some slightly more unpredictable encounters on the way.
Hope to see you in Shannara!
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy.Edited By jplesuk on 02/05/05 00:42 | |
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Blue Gularis
Game Owner
 NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
Joined: 25 Oct 2002
From: Bangkok, Thailand- City of Angels |
Posted: Saturday, 05 February 2005 03:25PM |
Wow! You have been busy my friend! *Looks impressed* Well done jplesuk, I have got to come by again and see all this great new stuff! I am definitely making Shannarah my "home away from home'.
The next round at the "PW Owner's Club" is on me, so I can get you tipsy so you'll spill all your secrets!
Fimbra
_________________
Creator and Administrator of Fabled Glory- Vorish Age PW
Fimbra's Funhouse, home of Fabled Glory! A world of dangers and wonders.Edited By Blue Gularis on 02/05/05 15:27 | |
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jplesuk
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
Posted: Saturday, 19 February 2005 01:28AM |
Great to hear from you again Fimbra!!! Some of her excellent work is in the Four Lands! She was one of the first great supporters of our project. Stop in say Hi if you get a chance - you're still on the Credits sign!
Well, it’s been two weeks since the last update, but we hope it’s been worth the wait. This update Shannara has:
NEW Items - 100+
NEW Merchants (Everywhere!)
NEW Creatures Templates - 200+
NEW Encounters (LOTS more on the way)
IMPROVED City Guards
There are so many changes to the above list it would take too much space to list them all!
Another new addition to Shannara include Dye Kits. Now you don’t have to fiddle with buying a dozen different little dye bottles to get that look you want. Just buy a Dye Kit, and every time you use it, money is automatically taken for ‘purchasing pigments’ to dye your clothing. Come check it out!
Also, you don’t have to use your imagination when you reach the Southern edge of Tyrsis now. The great Plateau walls that ward the southern part of the city can be seen rising above horizon. Let us know what you think.
Rumors speak the Gnomes have discovered a cave with a secret passage to the Northland. It is a closely guarded secret, but intrepid Elf rangers claim to have followed some Gnomes to a cave in the North Rabb Plains - where they did not come out. (This is Paithan’s work providing hidden placeables in full effect now. Be sure to check every inch of that ‘supposedly’ empty cave or dungeon...you never know where a secret passage or hidden treasure could be found).
Things are really rolling along, come and see what's going on in the Four Lands!
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy. | |
|
jplesuk
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
Posted: Sunday, 27 February 2005 01:38AM |
It’s that time again. Time for the Shannara update!
This week we have a number of new features in Shannara_v25b.
Approximately 25% of the areas in Shannara have new encounters using the Time of Day feature created by Axe Murderer. Now the bad guys aren’t always going to be in the same spot, and they only appear at certain times of the day. We have to do something to keep returning players on their toes!!!
All areas will eventually be updated with new encounters in the coming week(s). These encounters draw on a much larger base of creatures, as well. Over the last few weeks, the number of creature templates in Shannara has quadrupled. The templates will be continually updated and tweaked to provide players with challenges no matter where they adventure in the Four Lands.
Not a big fan of hunting down bandits? Are ghouls and zombies to disgusting to deal with? Not a fighter-type? Never fear! The designers of Shannara (mainly Paithan!) have been hard at work perfecting the Knowledge book system unique to Shannara. Now wizards and sorcerers, along with rogues and bards that have a high enough Use Magic Device skill, can study Knowledge Books and create scrolls to add to their spellbook, bring along on their travels, or sell for a nice profit! You can try the books for yourself in the Tyrsis State Building. We are still tweaking the design of the Knowledge Book system, so now is a great time for you to try them out and let us know what you think.
The crime system designed by Paithan is running at full power now. New crime boards are up in the cities displaying PCs wanted for committing crimes (such as murdering a non-hostile NPC, bashing a door, or picking a lock in front of an NPC) within a certain region. This system will be refined as well, so your feedback on it is appreciated!
Finally, the Shannara world has used considerable scripts and talent from the NWN community. To repay just a fraction of all that the NWN community has done for us, the design team of Shannara (HEC - Hidden Elfstone Creators ) has provided a script package called Hidden Placeables. You can check it out here: Click Here
Hopefully some of you other module designers can make good use of it - we already do in Shannara!
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy. | |
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jplesuk
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
Posted: Friday, 11 March 2005 07:51PM |
In the two weeks since v25b, a fair amount of work has been done on Shannara.
New encounters are continually popping up. Approximately half of the Shannara areas are completed with new encounters, redrawn area transitions, new traps, and new placeables (including new climbing and jumping skill placeables).
The Knowledge Book system for languages and making scrolls has been completed, polished up, and is working well. Now *any* spellcaster class (Druid, Cleric, Sorcerer, and Wizard) can read from certain books. Bards and Rogues with a high enough Use Magic Device skill can also learn from these books, too. Learning from a book is based on the character’s intelligence, lore, and spellcraft skills. Those with the Scribe Scroll feat have an additional bonus and can make scrolls in half the time as those without that feat. This is a non-fighter-type character’s much preferred method of making money and XP rather than trying to go toe-to-toe with a bad guy in a smelly sewer somewhere!
Since there are no crossbows in the Shannara world, wizards have been allowed to use slings and darts (as they were in 2nd edition D&D rules).
Guards will allow you to carry a staff in town.
The Skull Kingdom boatman is available on the shores of the River Lethe to transport you across its poisonous waters. However, only the truly powerful will be able to make it further past the Skull Kingdom guardians into the dark kingdom.
AND FINALLY, THE DAY IS SET!
April 6, 2005, the Anniversary of the founding of the Shannara guild, is the day the Shannara world will leave Beta testing and become a full-blown PW. Be sure to join us!!!
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy. | |
|
jplesuk
Game Owner
NWN
NWN: SoU
NWN: HotU
SW: KotOR PC
Joined: 10 Oct 2002
From: Middle America |
Posted: Friday, 25 March 2005 08:53PM |
Shannara v27b is out. And this is the last Beta version Shannara will ever see. On April 6th, we go live!!!
Shannara has a new IP address (hopefully the last new one for awhile ). You can Direct Connect to 71.32.29.55 to join us.
Approximately 90% of all the areas have new encounters in them. Not only that, but these area’s transitions have been remade or redrawn, minor terrain changes have been, and new area lighting has been done. The finishing touches and remaining areas should be completed this coming week in anticipation of Shannara’s ‘Grand Opening’.
Paithan has been diligently working on the crime system. Now certain crimes carry longer crime times than others. For example, someone picking a pocket will not be sought as long as someone murdering a Commoner. In the coming weeks, we’ll be adding Bounty Hunters, the process for PCs to track down criminals and bring them to justice, and placing ambassadors throughout the cities of the Four Lands who PC criminals may ‘surrender’ themselves to if they wish (with *very* cool cutscenes in the works by Paithan).
Paithan has also added a new feature to Shannara: Persistent Map Pins. Simply place a map pin the way you normally would in-game, and it will be there forever. Even after server resets!
Come and try out Shannara so you can get an idea of the world before we go live!
_________________
-jp
Thay - Realm of the Red Wizards
A NWN persistent world found under the Roleplay section of Gamespy. | |
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